FAITH – the Forge

When Good Men Are Silent

Several months ago, we had a one-session class based on the famous quote, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” While the quote’s context pertained to society as a whole, we need to be mindful of that warning within the church as well. As the world around us increases its attacks not just on faith, but on the very definitions of good and love, our apparent tendency to remain quiet strengthens the effectiveness of those attacks. Scripture, especially the book of James, speaks clearly to this issue.

The faithful have a responsibility to act when they become aware of wrongdoing or see a need. In James 4:17, the writer tells us, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Obviously, society’s issues demand our attention, but we often need to start closer to home. When our Bible classes struggle to find teachers and our worship is challenged for lack of men to serve, it doesn’t matter how willing we are to speak out against the nation’s godlessness.

You see, the word of God calls us to action, not just avoidance. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” is the instruction in Romans 12:21. It commands us not to give in to the evil around us, but to use our good works (be active), guided by Scripture, to defeat the evil around us. This important instruction is what makes the comparison game so dangerous. You know what I’m talking about. That rationalization that enables us to say, “Hey, at least I’m not as bad as so-and-so.” We can’t be proud of ourselves for avoiding specific sins when, by our inaction, we fail to truly resist the negative influences that get louder each day.

James chapter 2 makes it clear that inaction invalidates a claim of faith. In verse 17, we are told: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” And then in verse 26, he writes, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. If we say we have faith, but we are willing to do nothing, then we are lying to ourselves. Those lies then reach out and become obvious to those around us. It is possible, and quite likely, that simply going through the motions of attending worship and occasionally showing up for Bible study are merely shallow performances that have little bearing on our lives. In fact, such a mask of faith weakens us and those we influence.

When good people stay silent, evil not only prevails; it also gains the conditions it needs to thrive and grow. Today, our culture suffers under this reality, but that distress is compounded by congregations of the Lord’s church weakened by inactivity and indifference. That weakness then migrates to our families and us. Praise God that the church will stand forever; now, inspire yourself to contribute to that triumph.

Is All of Life Worship?

Modern commentators and those who promote a “modernization” of religion are teaching a tainted view of worship.

He Who Has Ears to Hear…

At the end of the parable of the sower, Matthew, Mark and Luke all record these words of Jesus, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:9, Mark 4:9, Luke 8:8). This idea behind this directive is also repeated in Matthew 11:15, Matthew 13:43 and numerous times in the book of Revelation. When we examine the context in which this phrase appears, it becomes clear that its meaning is more significant than mere words would imply. This simple but direct phrase commands the listener to work at comprehending the words spoken, not just receive the sound that has been emitted.

Throughout Scripture, especially in the Old Testament, we read accounts of people who claimed to be God’s and yet behaved in ways that contradicted their claimed faith. In Isaiah 6:9-10, the prophet warned that Israel would “…keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive…” Ezekiel warned of the rebelliousness of such behavior with similar words, observing people who had “eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear…” (Ezekiel 12:2).

Jesus knew this history; He knew the hearts of the people gathered around Him, and He knew those who would come to follow Him after He ascended into heaven. His words serve to call attention —our attention— to what we do with the words of the Bible. Jesus knew there would be faithful souls, capable of perceiving the message presented in Scripture, and He knew there would be those whose hearts would remain closed. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! This is both a call to action for the faithful and a call to repentance for the worldly.

For the faithful, the instruction is to do something with the words we hear from Scripture. When we first discover God’s word, we are expected to let it transform us into better listeners, with a growing ability to discern what the Lord expects. As we learn these things, we are to work at greater application. As we apply God’s instructions to our lives, we are to add to our efforts the work of engaging others in the Good News.

For those who lead worldly lives, Jesus’ instruction is a call to action in a different way. Before a person can be truly faithful, regardless of what religious claims they make, they must reposition their life so they hear and act on God’s guidance. His guidance dictates what it means to be faithful and obedient. God’s word provides the standard for good and righteous. To truly hear, one must drop the phony ethics of the modern world and turn to the perfect principles by which all men will be judged.

Jesus knew that some would openly hear, consider and apply His words. He also knew that others would not. But ultimately, He spoke because He knew we had that choice. Which path will you choose?

Appreciating Matthew’s Genealogy

Photo of Bible opened to Book of Matthew

At first glance, a modern Bible student might be tempted to quickly scan the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. While some of the names may be familiar, others may not, leaving the reader with a list of unfamiliar names. However, for a serious Bible student, Matthew’s inclusion of the genealogy provides the starting point for an investigation of Jesus.

The book of Matthew opens with the words, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). From the very first verse, Matthew provides sufficient evidence to establish Jesus’ identity. In offering this proof, the text further demonstrates that Jesus is the promised Messiah.

Matthew’s narrative family tree connects Jesus to Abraham, reminding readers of God’s promise that through Abraham’s descendants all nations would be blessed. Along the line, it also traces Jesus through David, confirming His rightful claim to the throne of Israel. In the days when Matthew wrote, Jews would have known and expected fulfillment of God’s promise that the Messiah would come from David’s family. By extension, through the availability of God’s Word, we can know the same promise and expectations. Matthew shows that Jesus fulfills that promise exactly.

This genealogy also confirms God’s faithfulness across many generations. From Abraham to David, from David to the Babylonian captivity and from the captivity to Christ, God’s plan persisted through periods of blessing, failure, judgment and restoration. Kings rose and fell, nations changed, and God’s chosen people often rebelled against God, yet His promises never failed. Matthew’s genealogy reminds us that God’s purposes continue even when our actions are not aligned with Him.

Matthew’s genealogy also highlights God’s grace. Among the names are individuals whose lives were marked by sin, weakness or difficult circumstances. Yet God worked through imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will. This truth should encourage us today. God is able to forgive, restore and use those who faithfully trust Him, regardless of their past.

The genealogy further emphasizes that Jesus entered real human history. He was not merely a great teacher or a mythical figure but a descendant of actual people who lived in specific times. Matthew records these names because the coming of Christ fulfilled God’s promises within history.

A final observation is that the passage prepares the reader for the account of Jesus’ miraculous birth. While Joseph belonged to David’s royal line, Matthew carefully distinguishes Jesus’ birth by stating that He was born of Mary through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus possesses both the legal right to David’s throne and the unique identity of the Son of God.

For followers of Christ, the genealogy of Matthew 1 is far more than an introduction. It proclaims God’s faithfulness, confirms Jesus as the promised Messiah, reveals God’s grace, and strengthens confidence that every promise of God finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

The Beatitudes – Cause for Examination

AI-generated image for Sermon on the Mount

Hopefully, as we have examined the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12, the conversation has made clear that the passage is not discussing a future expectation or a set of causal characteristics to which we should some day aspire. While the first four statements are indeed attitudes, they are neither casual nor optional for those who would lead a faithful life. These verses describe what it means to have a heart that is obedient to God. Furthermore, the following three verses (Matthew 5:7-9) describe the actions of someone fully committed to being a child of God.

Ideally, the “blessed” statements are leading us to an intense and truthful self-examination. Sometimes we tend to identify specifically with one of the beatitudes without realizing that, together, they describe our character and our actions. We need to start thinking of Matthew 5:1-12 as a summary of what it means to be a Christian. The passage is both progressive (a pattern for growth) and conclusive – if we actually pattern our lives after these verses, we find the complete guidance needed for life. This guidance is not found exclusively in the passage; instead, the verses provide instructions that enable us to understand our situation, know what to do about it, see where to turn, and then learn how to live. It makes clear the value of God’s word and also warns of the challenges faced by those who do live faithfully in this lost and dying world.

Following the statements of Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus continues for another chapter and a half in what we commonly call the Sermon on the Mount. In the chapters of Matthew 5-7 is recorded the greatest sermon of all time, with each successive lesson elaborating on the pattern that is to be our lives. However, all of the lessons of Matthew 5:13-7:27 are summarized in the Beatitudes. As we examine ourselves against that pattern, we can then move on to the detailed instructions given in the balance of the sermon. Jesus speaks on: 1) our influence to the world; 2) Christ as fulfillment of the Law; 3) sin is not just physical, it begins as a spiritual issue; 4) the sanctity of marriage; 5) the value of integrity; 6) how to pray; 7) that which is truly valuable, and; so much more.

As we continue studying these “blessed” statements, are we carefully coloring in our lives with Jesus’s words as the lines to stay within? As children with a coloring book, we often stray outside those lines. The question we must answer is: do we go back to the pictures we have already colored and purpose in our hearts to stay closer to the inside lines next time?

The Beatitudes – Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

How often do we read a passage from Scripture and think that it sounds so opposite from what we would expect? Such seems to be the case with Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. How could it be that being in mourning could be a blessed thing?

Most often, the immediate answer lies with an understanding that we are not God. The greatest our knowledge and wisdom can reach pales in comparison to that of God Almighty. In 1 Corinthians 3:19, we read, For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. We repeatedly see in the Bible that man’s arrogance leads to misunderstanding, because we think we know when, in fact, our understanding is still so limited. When God’s Word tells us something that doesn’t seem right, there are two possibilities – we haven’t studied enough to comprehend the Scripture fully, or we neglect to acknowledge (or remember) that God knows so much more than we do. Hopefully, we tend toward the former rather than the latter; I worry about being arrogant when it comes to faith and spirituality.

When Scripture tells us that those who mourn are blessed, if it seems strange, we need to study to reconcile our thinking to God’s truth. In our Matthew 5 passage, the word translated as “mourn” is the strongest Greek word for mourning. The word is associated with the most overwhelming sadness, often over matters of loss or personal condition. I believe it is the latter use that Jesus intended when he spoke the Beatitudes.

In verse 3, we examined how “poor in spirit” was a reference to our spiritual condition without God and Christ – destitute and without hope. We have also talked about how reading through the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) is a sort of progression of the Christian life (beginning, growth, maturing and trials). With these realizations, it is natural to see Jesus move from discussing the poor in spirit (those who see their absolute need for God) to those who are mournful over the sinful condition of their lives. Many faithful Christians can describe the moment when they realized their need for Christ’s salvation (poor in spirit) and, with equal force, discuss the gut-wrenching sorrow (mourning) over the sinful life they have led.

When 2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us we cannot truly repent without godly sorrow, it is natural to see the progress from understanding our state to mourning over our condition. As He lists the other Beatitudes, Jesus tells how this process is good. He teaches us that, although painful, the mourning is good and necessary, and it is not the end of the cycle. As we often say, read to see the entire context, not just the single verse. But even this single verse is a powerful teaching: those who mourn over their condition in a way that leads them to Christ will be spiritually blessed.

The Beatitudes – Introduction

While I understand the motivation behind the statement, it is shortsighted to view the Beatitudes merely as attitudes. It seems equally problematic when someone considers the text of Matthew 5:1-12 as a discussion of separate people. We can also find people who view the text as a reference to something yet to come. But the fact of the matter is that Jesus is describing something much more in the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.

When Jesus lists those who are blessed, He is actually listing the characteristics (the defining traits) that separate children of God from the rest of the world. Jesus is describing what is required of us if we are truly going to submit to the will of God. We can also see this as a progression of sorts with the verses forming 1) the beginning of faith, 2) the growth of faith, 3) the maturing of faith and finally 4) the trials of faith. When we read and study what has become known as the Beatitudes, we are seeing the purest explanation of what it takes to be an obedient Christian. Christ’s words go further and pronounce the specific, albeit spiritual, rewards of an obedient life.

The Beatitudes outline several traits on which we should base our lives, and then tell us of the rewards: heaven, comfort, fulfillment, mercy, and an eternal relationship with God. The listing of these traits and rewards also shows that, with God, rewards are spiritual. That doesn’t mean that physical life holds no pleasure for the faithful, but it should instill in us an understanding that our heavenly home is the ultimate promise. To live in glorious perfection, without pain or sadness, in the presence of the Almighty, is a goal worth whatever costs we encounter.

Ironically, while those who heard Jesus teach immediately recognized that He taught “…as one having authority…” (Matthew 7:29), that is not the world’s reaction today. In the Beatitudes, Jesus explained the law we now focus on. Through the study of this great sermon and other New Testament scriptures, we find divine guidance for a life pleasing to God. And yet, man tries either to ignore God’s word or to add to it. As we consider the text, let us each put aside our opinions, rely solely on the Bible for guidance and work to integrate these attitudes not as occasional feelings, but as pervasive, all-controlling traits of our faithful lives.

Modern or Outdated?

Image of Train Signal Hardware - Print by Martin Kent Miller

In Acts 24, when Paul stood accused before Felix, the Jews brought a Roman orator, Tertullus, to make their case against the apostle. In verses 5-6, the Bible records a portion of Tertullus’ speech, “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him and wanted to judge him according to our law.

If we consider this example and many of the other points of conflict between Christ and the Jewish leadership of His day, we come to realize that, in part, the Jews accused Jesus and the early Christians of modernism. They saw them as challenges to the traditions they had created for themselves and, rather than working to understand the Gospel’s core message, they clung tightly to those traditions. While the Jews of the first century followed a faith based on the Old Testament, their practices were a far departure from what God had given initially to Moses at Mt. Sinai. Through the ages, they had built for themselves a system they liked, a model that gave certain people extraordinary influence, enriching those in positions of power.

Ironically, today, much of the world is convinced of just the opposite. Many people in the world around us view faith as outdated, resistance to change or even anti-progress. They view us as either superstitious or backward because we trust the Bible more than modern philosophy and so-called science. The accusations could not be further from the truth, because many of the ideas that are embraced as modern are actually false. The Bible and science are fully compatible when viewed with an honest perspective. Unfortunately, scientific “discovery” is often influenced by whoever is paying for the discovery. If modern ideals are examined, they fall generally into two categories: those that offer some degree of success because they are either based on Scripture or at least do not violate God’s Word, or those that ultimately fail because they are against God’s will.

As a person of faith, it can be hard to understand how so many (often educated) people can miss this point. They embrace modernism (not the kind of which Tertullus accused Paul), scoff at us, and are then amazed when the world’s condition continues to decline. So what are we to do? First, learn the Word of God. We can’t give a defense if we don’t understand the text on which we base our faith. Two, when prepared, invite skeptics to examine the Word. It has withstood the test of centuries of disbelief. Three, be ready in season and out (2 Timothy 4:2) to discuss matters of faith and your commitment to following Christ.

Isn’t it interesting to see how Satan reads the room to determine just how to deceive mankind?