While preparing this installment, I watched a news blurb from a local station. They were going to “explain” the reality of the statements of Jesus in light of the events in Kentucky. The reporter even took the time to put up a Bible verse to help illustrate his point. In its basic form, he reminded his audience that Jesus didn’t speak to certain matters and yet the church goers were focused on those matters and silent on those to which He did speak. Part of the reporters comments were technically accurate on the surface while completely overlooking the bigger picture. All too often, people want to interject their opinion into God’s Word and only those parts that they consider relevant. The problem with this line of thinking is that we are finite thinkers and cannot see fully nor understand entirely the mind of God. However, we do seem to have the ability to parse out the texts we want and toss out those that we do not. What this reporter did do for me is remind me that I have to lean on the entire council of God. Whether or not I agree with Him is actually irrelevant. He is, in fact God, period. With that for an opening, here is today’s installment.
Did Jesus really speak to that…..
This has become one of my favorite statements to date. As I mulled over the implications of this line of thought and how to respond, it occurred to me that, again, this isn’t a new thought. In fact, it is found at the very beginning of mankind’s downfall. But, before we look at that, let us look around at people in general. Everywhere we turn, mankind is trying the limits of common sense and following up with “well no one said I couldn’t or shouldn’t do that”. From a simple cup of coffee to common household cleaners to machinery and beyond, we see the silliness ensue and the excuses follow. Take household cleaners, a simple “use as directed” should suffice. Yet, we have to add, “don’t point in face”, “don’t use near open flame”, “don’t inhale”, don’t, don’t, don’t and so on. Why all the additional warnings? Because someone didn’t follow the first command “use as directed” and left it at that. Yes, occasionally something goes wrong. However, most of the time, in fact, nearly all the time, the event could have been avoided and the lawsuits (that I don’t understand, still) would not have taken place. None of the additional warnings would have had to be listed. Our argument? “It didn’t say I couldn’t do that.” “I am not responsible for my actions.”
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
(Genesis 3:1 ESV)
Here we see the main issue at hand. Satan twists the words to create a different thought and we have been paying the price ever since. So I ask this question? If Jesus didn’t speak directly to the specific sin, where do we get to draw the line? During His ministry here on earth, Jesus said a lot of things. Contained in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus clarifies the intent of the heart as the beginning of the sin. While He mentions specific laws, he doesn’t discount the law as a whole. Now some will say that if they followed all the teachings of the Bible, all these things would happen. Life would be miserable and they would end up poor and destitute. Some have even tried. We have to look at the Law and 1) who it was written to and 2) what God was teaching by the law. That would take up more time and space than I can cover here. However, while Jesus didn’t speak to every element of the law, what did He say about the law in general?
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20 ESV)
Jesus opens this message with “Use as directed” statement, all the law remains in effect. Going from there, he gets more specific. It seems pretty simple, don’t go against God to serve your own purposes, regardless of whether you feel justified since God is God, period. But, we are still stuck with the “did God really say that?” syndrome. After some careful study years ago, it seemed pretty clear that if one had to make excuses or defend a behavior or desire, it probably is wrong. Truth or good behavior never requires a defense. We do because we feel that it is our right, after all God wants us to be happy, right? Again, let’s look at Jesus’ own words.
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:23-25 ESV)
So, what do we see here? Jesus says we are to deny ourselves. In other words, we take what we consider “our rights” and set them aside for the higher calling of following him. If we seek to hold onto what we deem important in this life, we will miss the better reward in the end. One study suggests that we consider a relationship with Jesus more of a treaty instead of total surrender.
Finally, there is another point that should be clearly made and understood. Why was Jesus crucified? Not from God’s point of view but the very people that carried out the act. Jesus is and claimed to be God, one and the same.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 ESV)
Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit, all one and the same yet different. It is a mystery that there isn’t enough memory built to try and explain it to our simple understanding. Why is this important to this discussion? See what Paul, a scholar of the law and prophets, said about the Scriptures.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)
God is the author of all scripture. Peter reminds us that nothing is based on man’s own private interpretation. Some might argue that translations passed down through time may have altered the words. But I ask you, is God not capable of protecting His word and keeping His thoughts intact? I certainly think so. So, now you may ask, “what is your point?” Simple, God and Jesus are one and the same. God is the author of all that we read throughout the Bible. Therefore, through simple reasoning, Jesus is also the author and all that we read from Genesis through Revelation, IS His words. We are not at liberty to discount the entirety of scripture because it isn’t found exactly in “red” letters. With that in mind, yes, Jesus did say that and He fulfilled its meaning by His life, death and resurrection. We are given a direction and a full expectation to follow it through. Back to my opening thought, instead of trying to dissect Jesus’ teachings and discount the rest of scripture, let’s consider the fact that all of it is actually His words.
That was a lot of ground to cover today and it is my hope that we can continue.
In His Name,
Scott
The GA Lidh Mission 
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