Tag: understanding the times (Emmett Smith III)

Busy Here and There

efsmith, July 7, 2002 at 2:36:00 PM BST

by Emmett Smith

"And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone." So spoke the disguised prophet of God to Ahab (1 Kings 20:40) after Ben-Hadad had been spared. God had allowed Ahab's tiny army to defeat Ben-Hadad and his fellow Syrians to prove His superiority over their idols. And Ahab treated with the Syrians and let them go! What was Ahab thinking? Here was a God-given opportunity to destroy the Syrian enemy, and Ahab made a deal with them. And not a very good one at that.

So God's prophet started toward Ahab by asking a neighbor "in the word of the Lord" to "smite" him, thus making him appear wounded in battle. When the neighbor refused what the text called "the voice of the Lord" he was killed by a lion, and another man wounded the prophet as he requested. So the prophet waited by the roadside, disguised as a wounded, dispirited combatant, until Ahab came by.

And what he told Ahab was, essentially, "I was entrusted with a prisoner of war, but I became "busy here and there" and let him escape. On pain of death, he had been charged with a prisoner, but had placed other priorities first. Ahab's judgement was simple and direct - you yourself have decided your fate.

Then the prophet revealed himself to Ahab and told him that God's judgement was on him for doing essentially the same thing with Ben-Hadad. And Ahab went home in a different mood than he had been in, "heavy and displeased". I suppose Ahab was "busy here and there" trying to look sophisticated to the Syrian enemy, rather than being responsible and eliminating a serious threat to Israel.

How often do we treat with the enemy? How often are we "busy here and there", too busy, too distracted, to properly place our priorities? In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talked about those who hear the word, (Mark 4:19 WEY) "but worldly cares and the deceitfulness of wealth and the excessive pursuit of other objects come in and stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful".

What's treasure to you? What are your priorities? How "busy" are you? Think about it.

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Liberty

efsmith, June 30, 2002 at 2:33:00 AM BST

by Emmett Smith

There's a lot of talk about liberty these days. The ACLU claim to be in favor of it. There's even a political party named the Libertarian Party. But what so often gets overlooked in all the fuss is that liberty cannot exist apart from responsibility. Oh sure, the illusion can exist - the evil one is a master illusionist. But the fact is we all have to serve somebody. As Bob Dylan sang back in the late seventies, "it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody".

Paul told the Roman brethren that "...the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope," (Romans 8:20). We really have no choice. We're subject, whether we like it or not. The choice we do have is whom we'll be subject to. In the very next verse, Paul wrote "...the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God". So the choice we make may result in "glorious liberty"! Or not.

Isaiah prophesied it first, and then Luke recorded Jesus' quotation in its fulfillment. The purpose of Christ's earthly mission included proclaiming "liberty to the captives" (Isaiah 61:1,2; Luke 4:18,19). Ironically, most of the captives never realize that they're in captivity. When Jesus told the Jews that the truth would make them free, they bridled. They proudly said they "were never in bondage to any man". But at the time they made that brag, they were subject to the Roman government.

Today we live subject to literally thousands of local, state, and federal laws. Yet those laws don't cause us to behave as we should. Every day some 10-year-old smokes a cigarette. Every day some 15-year-old drinks a beer. Every day someone injects heroin, someone pays a prostitute for sex and someone smokes a joint. All of these things are illegal, but the law can't stop it. Of course these behaviors are not illegal everywhere. But hopefully you get the point - that the existence of law will not automatically result in a better world. Only our voluntary servitude to the King of Kings can do that.

But let's get back to Jesus' conversation with the Jews in John chapter 8. After their indignant insistence that they were not in bondage, He said, "every one who commits sin is the slave of sin. Now a slave does not remain permanently in his master's house, but a son does. If then the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:34-36 WEY).

So the choice is ours if we can only see clearly enough to make it. We can choose to serve the Lord and be freed from sin's bondage, or we can choose to serve the devil. But we can't avoid the choice. "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice".

Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Galatians 5:13 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

The Church of What's Happening Now

efsmith, June 16, 2002 at 2:41:00 AM BST

by Emmett Smith

A week or two ago there was considerable discussion in some of the on-line news publications about a Christian school in Sacramento. The school was threatening to expel a woman's child because of her occupation. She made her living as a strip tease dancer in a local club. She had signed an agreement with the school that she would uphold Christian values at home so her child would see consistency at home and in school. The school's board and administrators felt that she was in violation of that agreement. They offered to help the mother financially while she found other employment, and assured her that doing the right thing would be best for her and her child.

I doubt that any of us would disagree that working as a stripper is not suitable employment for a Christian. The interesting thing about this situation to me was the reader response in letters to the editor. Some were very critical of the school's position, even going so far as to accuse them of being unchristian and judgmental. At least one of these responses cited Jesus' statement to the woman taken in adultery (John 8) in support of his position. You know the one I'm talking about - "Neither do I condemn thee:...". Interestingly, this respondent didn't quote the entire passage.

Of course, to have done so would have significantly weakened his case, because the very next phrase from the Master's lips was "...go, and sin no more." Of course this is not a unique situation. Many professed Christians in today's world seem to forget that last phrase. In their insistence that we must be "tolerant" and "inclusive", they seem to forget that Jesus never condoned sin. In fact, He died to cure it! He used similar language with the crippled man at Bethesda, saying "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee". What could be worse than being crippled for 38 years? I think you can figure that out.

How many of you remember Flip Wilson's "Church of What's Happening Now"? Back in the late sixties or early seventies, he was able to get laughs with a routine that is absolutely real today. Today's change agents insist that the church must adapt to changing times. One example of many we could cite is the acceptance of practicing homosexuals. The Southern Baptist Convention just this week issued a strong statement on this issue, in the face of activist's protests. Other denominations have been and still are fighting this issue. Certainly Jesus would accept the penitent homosexual - and so must we! But like Him, we should also say "go and sin no more".

Paul told us in Romans that we must not be "conformed" to this world. The word means to correspond in form or character, or to be similar. Rather, Paul said we must be "transformed" by the renewing of our minds! That simply means we must change. We can't continue to behave as we did before we met Jesus. We know that the Samaritan woman (He knew she was also adulterous) was changed by her conversation with Jesus. She went into town and told everyone that she had found the Christ! And because of her testimony, many of that city believed on Him.

We know that the Corinthian church had homosexual members! (See 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) But Paul said "such were some of you". Past tense! The idea that impenitent practitioners of any sinful activity are acceptable to God is foreign to the scriptures. The idea is not new - Paul was dealing with just such a perversion in the first part of Romans chapter 6. He emphatically denied that such could be the case. The Nicolaitans, mentioned in Revelation chapter 2, held the same philosophy. John was told to write that our Lord hates their deeds.

Obviously, we simply can't accept such ideas and remain true to God. We may tell ourselves we're not that bad, we're not fornicators, etc. But just how conformed are we? How comfortable have we become in this world? If the non-christian people we're around can't tell we're different, are we truly transformed? Think about it.

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In His Right Mind

efsmith, June 9, 2002 at 1:51:00 PM BST

by Emmett Smith

Luke’s account of Jesus’ casting out the demon called Legion uses an interesting phrase to describe the man afterwards. In Luke 8:35 we’re told that people from the entire region “went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind”. He had run wild, naked, and uncontrollable. Now they found him sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed, and in his right mind.

Let’s focus on that last phrase – “in his right mind”. The influence of the evil one had deprived this poor man of his senses for a long time! Without delving further into the details of demon possession, then and now, let’s remember that the devil still works to prevent people from being right-minded. And the only way we become truly right-minded is at the Master’s feet! In his insightful Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis postulated that the evil one and his angels are able to place thoughts directly into our minds.

Certainly, human minds are accessible to God, as the many descriptions of visions in both Old and New Testament accounts attest. He knows our thoughts, and He can place content within our minds at will. And Satan accessed Judas’ thoughts according to John 13:2 (see also the case of Ananias in Acts 5). Thus, Lewis’ Screwtape hypothesis is not necessarily that great a stretch. But even if you don’t accept that idea, it must be conceded that Satan uses many different media to invade our hearts and minds, whether conscious or unconscious. And the Bible plainly states that we’re to guard against that invasion.

Solomon said “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23). The apostle Paul, reminding the Corinthians of the spiritual nature of our conflict, said “For we overthrow arrogant `reckonings,´ and every stronghold that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every thought as if into slavery -- into subjection to Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5, WEY). Obviously, as Christians we must exercise thought control!

But what does this mean to us as a practical matter? Paul’s language leaves little doubt does it? Just how serious are we in guarding our hearts? Is that seriousness reflected in the choices we make? What about movies, TV, music, novels, web surfing, etc.? God won’t force us to make the right choices, but He most certainly will hold us accountable! The first chapter of Romans discusses this very issue after verse 17, citing vain imaginations and darkened hearts as reasons for God’s wrath against unrighteousness. Verse 28 says “God gave them over to a reprobate mind” because of the thoughts they chose to entertain.

That’s quite a contrast isn’t it? A right mind versus a reprobate mind. The battle for our hearts and minds is real. Ironically, we’re the ones who determine its final outcome.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

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Responsibility

efsmith, June 2, 2002 at 2:02:00 PM BST

By Emmett Smith

Why do you think the philosophy known as naturalism is so prevalent? What’s that you say? You didn’t major in philosophy? Well, neither did I, but it is an interesting study sometimes. And the philosophy of naturalism is simply (some might say oversimply) summed up in this one prominent belief. That belief is that any and all things must be examined and explained within a certain absolute restriction – that there is no such thing as the supernatural, or if there is, it, whatever it is, is completely irrelevant to human concerns and experiences.

That being said, the naturalist chooses to restrict himself to only natural explanations of any and all phenomena. Regardless of how well the concept of an “intelligent designer” may fit available facts, such a belief is absolutely off-limits to the adherent of naturalism. It’s simply unacceptable that such things can be. Therefore, Biblical accounts of predictive prophecy and miracles must somehow be explained within a naturalistic framework or laughed off as ignorant superstition. So naturalism, by its very nature, is antagonistic to Christianity. Unfortunately, many “Christians” have bought into this philosophy, with disastrous consequences.

It’s not at all a stretch to assert that a significant portion of our society’s influential people adhere to naturalism. A simple look around us will bear that out on a daily basis. The big issues these days are driven by this philosophy. Don’t teach young people sexual abstinence, they’ll do it anyway. It’s ok to abort a “fetus”, it’s only a lump of tissue. It’s ok to divorce your spouse, that vow doesn’t really mean anything. There’s no one to answer to ultimately anyway! Don’t dare teach any explanation of human origin that involves a personally interested and involved creator God! That’s not scientific! Of course, that’s only true if science, by definition, excludes God. It depends on what the meaning of “is” is.

Being a native Arkansan, I reserve the right to cite a fellow Arkansan’s irresponsibility as an example. But I submit that God knows what the meaning of “is” is. And so do we, when we’ll accept responsibility for our actions. That’s really what I believe is so attractive about the philosophy of naturalism. If we deny God’s existence by definition, if we’re simply the result of random chance, then we don’t have to accept responsibility. We don’t really prefer to do that anyway, do we?

Adam denied his responsibility for having eaten the forbidden fruit – he said “...she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” – in other words, “it really wasn’t my fault”. That’s a human tendency that has existed since Adam. But it’s not one that God accepts. Uncomfortably for us, He demands that we accept responsibility for our wrongs! He demands that we choose whom we will serve. As Joshua expressed it in Joshua 24:15 “choose you this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.

Note the contrast in David’s attitude as recorded in the 51st Psalm. When God, through the prophet Nathan, indicted David of adultery and murder, David didn’t hesitate to accept responsibility. In the first 4 verses, and again in verse 9, he accepts responsibility for his “sin(s), “iniquity”, or “transgression(s)”. He humbled himself before God and prayed “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me”, (v. 10). Don’t you think that’s one reason David was a man after God’s own heart? He was far from perfect, but he acknowledged God’s supremacy, and humbled himself.

It’s common in our society to deny personal responsibility. Drunkenness, the sin, becomes alcoholism, the disease. I wouldn’t have lied if someone else hadn’t pressed me. I’m the victim of my own desires. I’ll sue the person or company that supplied me with my particular health-destroying substance. It was their fault, not mine! It’s not fair! We may even succeed in getting some court of law to agree with us. But what about the only truly “righteous judge”? Will he uphold the verdict on appeal? Think about it.

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