The Gift of Labour.

In the Biblical book of Genesis is a verse that is often overlooked. It reads: "Yahweh Elohim took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it."(2:15).

When God first created man, He gave him work to do. Although “Yahweh Elohim planted a garden” for man (Genesis 2:8), it was up to man to take care of it if he would continue to eat its fruits. Thus means that having to labour for one’s living is not some kind of divine punishment for man’s sin, as some people would interpret it, but rather a divine benefit for man’s good.

As mentioned previously (Aug. 16th), I am currently going through the Book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, in my personal devotions. The book speaks of the new earth, when sin and suffering will be gone forever, and shows that there will be work to do: “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him.” (Revelation 22:3; TLB; emphasis added).faithfulness

 

We don’t know yet what our assignments will be on that new earth, but they may somehow be commensurate with our  in serving the Lord here. “... behold, I come shortly. And My reward is with Me:” says the Lord Jesus, “to give to every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12; RGT).

 

It is, therefore, a God-given privilege to be able to do useful work, whether that work consists of preaching God’s Word or improving God’s world. “Whatever your hand finds to do, ” [whether being paid for it or not], “do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). As Jesus said, “night comes, when no one can work.” (John 9:4).

 

No matter what the job that has been provided for us to do may be, it is important to remember and obey the admonition: “Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24) and “that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15:58). 

Fifth Sunday

Another Fifth Sunday, and a reminder of those who are persecuted, in some 50 countries around the world, simply because they are disciples of Jesus, the Christ.

Imagine being arrested, thrown into prison, and facing legal charges simply for holding a Christian meeting in your home!

That’s what happened to Pastor Mohan*, in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state.

Around 50 Christians were at his village home, with a walled garden compound, when Hindu extremist groups prompted local police to come and arrest him.

A crowd surrounded the group of believers, threatening and provoking them. Mohan admitted he was afraid. The local media also turned up, in what appeared a coordinated move to intimidate and instil fear into the Christian community.

Although initially released from police custody, Mohan was later accused of forcing, threatening and luring people into his church, in breach of Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion laws.

Mohan was remanded in custody for a month — but said it felt much longer as other criminals in the prison bullied him and forced him to do all the menial chores, such as mopping the floors and cleaning out the drains.

He felt completely alone and in despair, until someone brought him a New Testament. He was led to read the story of Paul and Silas in prison and realised the challenges that God’s gospel servants will sometimes face.

Release International partners have been supporting Mohan and providing him with on-going legal aid during this traumatic time.

After a month in prison, Mohan was released and was told by police he should not return to his home area. However, he is seeking to continue his ministry there, although now local Christians in his village are meeting in much smaller groups.

Meanwhile, Mohan’s court case is dragging on. He is regularly summonsed to court, and each time there are more court fees to be paid. ‘We are under a lot of pressure,’ he said. ‘We are very stressed.’

India’s constitution grants freedom of religion. But so-called anti-conversion laws such as those in Mohan’s home state of Uttar Pradesh are increasingly being used by Hindu groups to intimidate Christians and to stifle gospel ministry.

Release International’s partner in India is providing legal assistance to frontline church leaders all over the country, advising them, and encouraging them. Pastors like Mohan want to serve Christ and the gospel — even in the face of those who try to stop them doing so.

Mohan said, ‘The [Hindu] fanatics have an eye on us always. But the more we are persecuted, the more we grow. We dedicate ourselves to serving God boldly, but we do feel unsafe — so please pray for our protection.’

* Name changed to protect the brother involved.

How much do you really understand about the foundational teaching of the Church of the Lord Jesus, the Christ? In this book, I go through the text of "The Apostle's Creed", and share in everyday language, the basic teachings that it covers. There is also an Appendix on God the Holy Spirit.

Remember that all royalties are sent, directly, to "Voice of persecuted Christians" (formerly Release International) in support of persecuted disciples of Jesus in many different countries.

The Living Word

Last week, in my personal devotions, I completed going through the First (Old) Testament book of Daniel - not for the first time. I have now started on the Second (New) Testament book of the Revelation - again, not for the first time! That choice was made because of the links between the two books. Of course, reading God's Word is of great importance to anyone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus. Part of the reason for this is the simple fact that Jesus, Himself, is often referred to as "the Word". For example, in the book of the Revelation, we read: "And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God." (Revelation 19:13). 

This uniquely expressive name assigned to the Christ, as He returns to Earth in glory, is used also by John in his gospel (John 1:1, 14) and in his epistle (1 John 1:1), referring both to the Lord's primeval work of creation and also to His human incarnation. It is well known that "Word" here is the Greek logos. Six times it is applied by John as a name or title of the Son of God (three times in John 1:1), the second person of the Trinity. Actually, John used it seven times, assuming that the disputed verse, 1 John 5:7 ("the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost"), is really a part of the inspired text.

 

The Greek word logos is a remarkable word, adaptable to many meanings. It is translated in English language versions of the Second (New) Testament by a number of other words, where a more precise definition is felt to be appropriate. For example, Paul, writing to the Thessalonian disciples of Jesus, reminds them: "So each of us shall give account of himself to God." (14:12, RSV) and uses "logos" for "account". The lexicons add still other meanings, and some of the Greek philosophers used it to describe the intelligence behind the universe.

 

As used by John, however, it becomes much more specific: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). The New World translation of Jehovah's Witnesses, rejecting the deity of Christ, like to translate this as "the Word was a god," but all knowledgeable Greek scholars agree that the rendering of other versions is correct. Then, says John, "... the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." (John 1:14). Even although "No one has ever seen God; " (John 1:18), He has become knowable through His Son Who "has made Him known." It was Philip who asked the Lord: "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." (John 14:8). The Saviour replied: "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" (John 14:9).

Consequently, John can also declare Him to others. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life . . . that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus, the Christ." (1 John 1:1, 3).

The written Word is alive. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword , piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Heb.4:12). Those of us who read that Word with any regularity are all too aware of having read a soecific passage many times before but, on a particular occasion, having seen something that we had never before noticed!

And He, the Lord Jesus, is the Living Word. The only question is this - "Is He living in you?"

Waiting, and watching.

In Dr Luke's account of the Gospel, he records these words of the Lord Jesus: "Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them." (Lk.12:37, NKJV). The Greek word "grēgoreuō" (gray-gor-you-o), translated here as "watching", may also be translated as "alert", or "awake". However, The Lord Jesus, in those words already quoted, gives a special commendation to those who not only wait for His return, but also earnestly watch for Him.

Dr Donald Barnhouse, an American Presbyterian minister in the early years of the last century, illustrated the difference between these terms with a story of a Scottish fishing boat that was returning home after many days at sea. As the vessel neared the shore, the crew gazed eagerly towards the dock, where a group of their loved ones had gathered. The skipper looked through his binoculars, and identified some of them. "I see Bill's Mary; and there is Tom's Margaret; and David's Anne." One man became concerned because his wife was not there!. When the catch had been unloaded, and the necessary work on the boat had been completed, he left it with a heavy heart and hurried up the hill to the cottage where he lived. As he opened the door, his wife ran to meet him. "I've been waiting for you!", she said. His soft reply held a gentle rebuke - "Yes, but the other men's wives were watching for them!" 

It is possible to wait for the Lord without exhibiting much watchfulness. Our minds may have many verses from the written Word of God, the Bible, all neatly arranged, that tell of His return. We may even be able to quote them quite glibly. But what a difference it makes when our hearts are eagerly looking for His imminent return - which is much closer now than when Dr Barnhouse told his little story!

We "...must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation.” (II Peter 3:3-4).

The hours may seem to pass slowly but, when viewed from the perspective of eternity, which is not "endless time", but "timelessness", but where, in terms of earthly time, "... one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (II Peter 3:8), the Lord's promise: "Surely I am coming soon." (Rev.22:20), becomes clear! Given this proper understanding of His apparent delay - although there are many signs that His taking up of His faithful people to meet Him "in the air" (I Thess. 4:17) .very close! - His words of cheer should keep us on our spiritual tiptoes.

Does the hope of His soon return cause you to wait patiently and watch expectantly - and listen for "...the archangel’s call, and ... the sound of the shofar of God." (I Thess. 4:16)?

Those who wait for the Lord

I am one of those people who likes to use the lapel of my jacket to display a badge! Sometimes someone will actually ask me what a particular badge signifies, and I am happy to explain. One of my badges is an eagle. Now the truth is that it was an award, many years ago, given by an organisation of which I was a part. However, I always refer to some words from the book of the prophet Isaiah: "...those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31).

This is one of the best-loved promises of the Bible, for it is easy to grow weary and faint in our mortal bodies, even when doing the work of the Lord. The answer, we are told, is to "wait upon the Lord."

 

But what does this mean? The Hebrew word (qavah) does not mean "serve," but rather to "wait for" or "look for." It is translated "waited for" the second time it is used in the Bible, when the dying patriarch Jacob cried out: "I wait for Thy salvation, O Lord." (Genesis 49:18).

 

The first time it is used, surprisingly, is in connection with the third day of creation, when God said: "Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place" (Genesis 1:9). That is, the all-pervasive waters of the original creation, divided on the second day of creation, now are told to wait patiently, as it were, while God formed the geosphere, the biosphere, and the astrosphere, before dealing again with the waters.

 

Perhaps the clearest insight into its meaning is its use in the picture of the Christ foreshadowed in the 40th Psalm. "I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined unto me, and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1).

 

"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary," (Isaiah 40:28), and His gracious promise, in v.31, is that we can "renew [our] strength" (literally, "exchange our strength," our weakness for His strength!) by "waiting upon [Him]." (v.31). We wait patiently for Him, we gather together unto Him, we look for Him, we cry unto Him, we trust Him, and He renews our strength! 

What a blessing it is to be able to wait upon the Lord!