The Gospels reveal some wonderful things concerning God's will, nature and character. As mention before, Jesus did not come to earth to do His will but the will of the Father (John 6:38) We also saw that to see the actions of Jesus and to know Him, we see and know the Father. (John 14:7-9) So for the final this week of this series, "Bad Things Do Not Come From God" we will look at some of the ministry of Jesus as He reveals the Father's will and true nature.
Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:14-17)
Let's review some key points in this passage. "Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother
lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her.
And she arose and served them." If this sickness was caused by God, then what would be the point of Jesus healing her? If the sickness was caused by God, then Jesus should not have stopped what God was doing in her life. Unfortunately, I have had church leaders say that God made her sick so that Jesus could prove that He was the Son of God by healing her. It wasn't the preaching or the supernatural healings that proved Jesus to be the Son of God, but His resurrection from the dead. The way of salvation is not to confess the LORD Jesus with your mouth and believe in your heart that He is the Son of God because of all the miracles that He performed, but to believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, that one is saved. (Romans 10:9-10 No, Peter's mother-in-law was made sick with fever by the devil, not God.
Next we see, "When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were
demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all
who were sick," How many sick were healed? ALL who came to Him. There is no indication at all that there was even one person who was not healed. There is no mention that He turned some away because it was not God's will for them to be healed. There is no mention that God caused anyone to be sick or demonized. Now, we can certainly read something into this passage of scripture that is not mentioned, but this is where we find many of the problems in the church today, adding to or subtracting from God's Word. Unfortunately, many passages of scripture have been rendered powerless and or twisted from their true meaning by the opinions and wisdom of men. This has robbed multitudes of Christians who truly love the LORD from receiving the promises of the Father through Jesus Christ, such as healing.
Finally, we see that Matthew draws us back to an Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,
saying: "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses." The Hebrew of Isaiah and the Greek of Matthew bears the same meaning; Messiah (Jesus Christ) removes the diseases of one's body. It is a part of the doctrine of Atonement as spoken by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 52:13-15, 53:1-6)
I would like to conclude this with two more thoughts. First, let's never forget "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38) and I might note, without a time limit. God was, is and will always be, until Jesus returns, Jehovah Rapha, The God Who Heals. Secondly, "Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) Not only was Jesus stating this truth to the the father of a demonized son, but also "to him (anyone) who believers." PTL
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 19
I always find it interesting how so many Christians see God in the Old Testament as having a completely different will, nature and character than He does in the New Testament. Many portray God in the Old Testament as one who has either no mercy or at best was limited in mercy; That He was not very forgiving; That He did not heal or deliver; That He was into cursing more than blessing; and that He was just waiting for someone to step out of line and wham, the hammer came down in the form of sickness, disease and all manner of destruction. Well, let's consider some things from the Old Testament...
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say, "His mercy endures forever." Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy endures forever." Let those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118:1-4)
Other than the continuous praise that, "His mercy endures forever," we see something else right at the beginning of this Psalm that describes God's true nature, Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! He does not lack in mercy, in fact His mercy is great...
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him"
(Psalm 103:11)
Not only is He good, but His goodness is great...
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19)
Next we see that God is ready to forgive ALL who call upon Him...
"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."(Psalm 86:5) and...
"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared." (Psalm 130:3-4)
We also see that God's nature in the Old Testament is healing and deliverance...
"He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20)
There is one Psalm that I believe is a good summation of God's true will, nature and character...
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
(Psalm 103:1-5)
WOW, what a wonderful Heavenly Father we have. Notice the word ALL; "Who forgives ALL your iniquities," That is, He is not only able but willing to pardon all of our sin. "Who heals ALL your diseases," That is, all forms of sickness and disease. If that was not enough, "Who redeems your life from destruction," That is, saving one's life from death when exposed to danger, or when attacked by disease. "Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies," That is, God's mercy and compassion is so abundant, it is something of beauty and honor as a royal crown. "Who satisfies your mouth with good things," Not just your physical mouth with food, but your desires, your entire life He brings delight to. "so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." The eagle is an emblem of vigor and as the moulting of an eagles feathers where its plume is renewed, so shall those be, whose God is the LORD, who place faith in His wonderful Word..
When looking at the Old Testament scriptures and meditating on what they say concerning God's true will, nature and character, it becomes very difficult at best to consider that the God of the Old Testament is anything less than loving, caring, nurturing, forgiving and flat out wonderful. However, it takes faith in the integrity of God's Word to come to this conclusion. We always must remember that Satan has not changed his tactic towards humanity. From the Garden of Eden and until Jesus returns, his greatest weapon of deception has been to defame God's nature and character. He wants people to reason in their minds, that is, to consider that there may be another truth. That God is holding back or is not disclosing the whole truth.
The Apostle Paul tells us that that these things are, strongholds, arguments and thoughts that exalt themselves above the knowledge of God and are to be assaulted and destroyed by using God's Word. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) His Word is truth and it is the ONLY gauge that the believer has to determine whether or not renegade reasoning is on the loose in their mind. The more one reads, studies and meditates on God's Word, the less chance there is for one to be deceived with Satan's wiles. Praise the LORD, for He never changes which also means that His faithful, never failing, Word never changes also!!!
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say, "His mercy endures forever." Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy endures forever." Let those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118:1-4)
Other than the continuous praise that, "His mercy endures forever," we see something else right at the beginning of this Psalm that describes God's true nature, Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! He does not lack in mercy, in fact His mercy is great...
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him"
(Psalm 103:11)
Not only is He good, but His goodness is great...
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19)
Next we see that God is ready to forgive ALL who call upon Him...
"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."(Psalm 86:5) and...
"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared." (Psalm 130:3-4)
We also see that God's nature in the Old Testament is healing and deliverance...
"He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20)
There is one Psalm that I believe is a good summation of God's true will, nature and character...
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
(Psalm 103:1-5)
WOW, what a wonderful Heavenly Father we have. Notice the word ALL; "Who forgives ALL your iniquities," That is, He is not only able but willing to pardon all of our sin. "Who heals ALL your diseases," That is, all forms of sickness and disease. If that was not enough, "Who redeems your life from destruction," That is, saving one's life from death when exposed to danger, or when attacked by disease. "Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies," That is, God's mercy and compassion is so abundant, it is something of beauty and honor as a royal crown. "Who satisfies your mouth with good things," Not just your physical mouth with food, but your desires, your entire life He brings delight to. "so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." The eagle is an emblem of vigor and as the moulting of an eagles feathers where its plume is renewed, so shall those be, whose God is the LORD, who place faith in His wonderful Word..
When looking at the Old Testament scriptures and meditating on what they say concerning God's true will, nature and character, it becomes very difficult at best to consider that the God of the Old Testament is anything less than loving, caring, nurturing, forgiving and flat out wonderful. However, it takes faith in the integrity of God's Word to come to this conclusion. We always must remember that Satan has not changed his tactic towards humanity. From the Garden of Eden and until Jesus returns, his greatest weapon of deception has been to defame God's nature and character. He wants people to reason in their minds, that is, to consider that there may be another truth. That God is holding back or is not disclosing the whole truth.
The Apostle Paul tells us that that these things are, strongholds, arguments and thoughts that exalt themselves above the knowledge of God and are to be assaulted and destroyed by using God's Word. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) His Word is truth and it is the ONLY gauge that the believer has to determine whether or not renegade reasoning is on the loose in their mind. The more one reads, studies and meditates on God's Word, the less chance there is for one to be deceived with Satan's wiles. Praise the LORD, for He never changes which also means that His faithful, never failing, Word never changes also!!!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 18
We have seen throughout the Gospel of John, our Heavenly Father's will and nature being perfectly fulfilled in and through the ministry of Christ. One of the scriptures that sums up Christ's ministry and the Father's will and nature is...
"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)
Notice that Jesus "went about doing good", not bring judgment or condemning humanity, but doing good. What was the good that He did? "...healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil..." So take a moment and let this verse of scripture sink into your spirit. Now, if God is the One behind bad things happening, then why would He anoint Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power to do good? If some how one really believes that bad things come from God, then we have to consider the following...
When I think of how many Christians have been taught by church leaders the exact opposite of what scripture reveals concerning God's will and nature, I become grieved. Many have been taught that the bad things that may happen to them is some how God's mysterious way of doing things, but the Apostle Paul tells us...
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself" (Ephesians 1:7-9)
Many have been taught that God causes bad things to happen to bring judgment upon a sinful world and yet Jesus says...
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son." (John 5:22) and "You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one." (John 8:15) and "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)
I have found the biggest reason why so many Christians have been taught that God causes bad things to happen is because "whom the LORD loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:6) However, to chasten means to child train or train a child. Now think about this. Would you as a parent desire to have a debilitating disease come upon your child because he or she disobeyed you? Of course you wouldn't want that to happen. How about if you told your child not to touch the cooking element on an electric stove because he or she could get burned and then one day their curiosity got the best of them and they burned their hand so severely that they needed either a miracle healing or immediately medical attention, would you say, "I told you not to do that" or "That's what you get for disobeying me." Would you do nothing because they disobeyed? Of course not! You would do whatever it took to stop the pain and fix the problem. If you did anything less, you would be considered an abusive neglectful parent.
Well I've got some good news. Our Heavenly Father is not hiding Himself nor is He mysterious (John 14:7-9) He does not judge people in this life by sending bad thing upon them (Hebrews 7:27) and He is not and abusive parent but a loving and caring Father (Matthew 7:7-11) It is time for Christians to abide in God's Word, which will build their faith so they can receive the promise that Jesus gives to all who abide in His word..."And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)
Notice that Jesus "went about doing good", not bring judgment or condemning humanity, but doing good. What was the good that He did? "...healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil..." So take a moment and let this verse of scripture sink into your spirit. Now, if God is the One behind bad things happening, then why would He anoint Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power to do good? If some how one really believes that bad things come from God, then we have to consider the following...
- Jesus lied when He said that He came to do the will of the Father...(John 4:34)
- That Jesus was not a perfect image and reflection of the Father...(Hebrews 1:3)
- That Jesus was doing His own will...(Matthew 26:39)
- That the Father has more than one will...(Romans 12:2)
- That the Father and Son are not united as one...(John 10:30)
- The Father changes His will based on human circumstances or situations...(Malachi 3:6)
When I think of how many Christians have been taught by church leaders the exact opposite of what scripture reveals concerning God's will and nature, I become grieved. Many have been taught that the bad things that may happen to them is some how God's mysterious way of doing things, but the Apostle Paul tells us...
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself" (Ephesians 1:7-9)
Many have been taught that God causes bad things to happen to bring judgment upon a sinful world and yet Jesus says...
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son." (John 5:22) and "You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one." (John 8:15) and "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)
I have found the biggest reason why so many Christians have been taught that God causes bad things to happen is because "whom the LORD loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:6) However, to chasten means to child train or train a child. Now think about this. Would you as a parent desire to have a debilitating disease come upon your child because he or she disobeyed you? Of course you wouldn't want that to happen. How about if you told your child not to touch the cooking element on an electric stove because he or she could get burned and then one day their curiosity got the best of them and they burned their hand so severely that they needed either a miracle healing or immediately medical attention, would you say, "I told you not to do that" or "That's what you get for disobeying me." Would you do nothing because they disobeyed? Of course not! You would do whatever it took to stop the pain and fix the problem. If you did anything less, you would be considered an abusive neglectful parent.
Well I've got some good news. Our Heavenly Father is not hiding Himself nor is He mysterious (John 14:7-9) He does not judge people in this life by sending bad thing upon them (Hebrews 7:27) and He is not and abusive parent but a loving and caring Father (Matthew 7:7-11) It is time for Christians to abide in God's Word, which will build their faith so they can receive the promise that Jesus gives to all who abide in His word..."And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
Monday, February 27, 2012
Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 17
Recently I attended a large conference consisting mainly of church leaders from across the USA. During one of the main sessions the speaker made a comment concerning Hurricane Katrina. He said that the LORD had warned them (various pastors) two years in advance that a hurricane would hit New Orleans. The hurricane was from the LORD to cleanse the city of its corruption. The speaker went on to say that some ministers mentioned to him that the hurricane was not judgment from God, but he insisted that they were wrong.
They began to warn the churches of this impending storm and told the people to be sure that their home owners insurance would cover their losses in the event of a catastrophe which Katrina turned out to be. Naturally I was somewhat taken by such a claim. Although I have discussed some of this previously, I want to address this particular claim, as to whether God brought judgment on New Orleans to cleanse it from corruption or not.
Remember, it was Adam that was given authority and dominion over the works of God's hands and that the only one in all creation that Adam had to answer to was God Himself, the Creator. Everything else was subordinate to Adam (Psalm 8:5-6) We also saw that Adam freely chose to disobey God and thereby giving his authority and dominion over to God's enemy, Satan, placing himself and all humanity under Satan's rule (Luke 4:5-6) This act of treason by Adam brought a curse on creation (Genesis 3:17-18) So first we see that creation took on the new nature of its new master, Satan. That which was once pure, peaceful, filled with love and harmony had now become a place filled with adversity, affliction, calamity, grief, hurt, harm and trouble, that is, all matter of evil.
Further along in the Bible, we see God disclose to Abraham, His covenant partner, what was about to happen to Sodom and Gomorrah because "their sin was very grave." (Genesis 18:20) If God truly brought Hurricane Katrina upon New Orleans then we have to assume their sin was very grave and it was above the sin of every other city in the USA. If God were bringing judgment upon a wicked city in the USA, then it would be logical that He would bring it upon the most wicked of cities, wouldn't it? However, as we look further into this matter, Abraham pleads with God not to permit the destruction of those cities for the sake of the righteous who may live in them. God's response is the same every time Abraham make a plea, "If I find in Sodom any righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."
(Genesis 18:16-33)
If God did bring Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans then we have to also assume that there was not one covenant partner, that is, there must not have been one believer in New Orleans. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) In other words, there must not have been one righteous person in New Orleans. We also have to assume that Abraham was under a better covenant than the New Covenant in Christ, because God would not have permitted the destruction Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of the righteous under His covenant with Abraham. But we know that this is not true. The New Covenant established in Christ is the fulfillment of every other covenant and Hebrews calls it "a better covenant."
Now let's consider the "Ten Plagues" that came upon Egypt when Moses was sent to deliver Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh. (Exodus 4 - 11) There is no record that shows Israel suffering through the ten plagues with the Egyptians. No, these plagues fell upon the Egyptians only. The point, if God brought Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans to bring judgment, then He would have protected His people from judgment as He did with His people Israel. The believers in New Orleans would not have experienced anything destructive that a hurricane would bring, including darkness, the lack of electric, "The Egyptians did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." (Exodus 10:23) Although electric had not been discovered as we understand it for approximately 3200 more years, point being God protected His people.
Let us now consider the account of Jesus rebuking the wind and the raging water when a windstorm came down on the lake as as He and His disciples were in a boat crossing over to the country of the Gadarenes. His rebuke caused the wind and raging water to cease and there was a great calm. Did
God cause this storm? If He did, then Jesus would have been rebuking
His father. No, let's face it, the god of this age is behind the
destruction not our heavenly Father. Another point that we should consider in this account is that Jesus said to His disciples, "Where is your faith." (Luke 8:22-25) It is apparent that if the disciples exercised faith they would have experienced the same results that Jesus had with the storm. No, let's face it, the god of this age is behind the destruction not our heavenly Father. It seems to me, if God announced that a storm would be coming then He is calling His people to action. Winning souls away from their wicked life styles in an aggressive manner and exercise faith by speaking to the mountain (impending hurricane) before it even manifested would have been a more biblical response.
Finally, if God is bringing judgment upon the world today then it means one of two things. First, Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, ascension and glorification did not fully satisfy justice and therefore man is not fully saved but must continue to suffer judgment from God or secondly, we have entered the Tribulation. Neither of these is true. Humanity has not entered the Great Tribulation and Jesus did in fact satisfy justice. Therefore God is not condemning humanity (John 3:16-17) for its corruption by bringing catastrophe's, yet. (See Revelation)
Although I do not know where his statistics came from, the same speaker reported that sadly enough the city is more corrupt today than before Hurricane Katrina struck. Something else to consider, judgment did not come upon Sodom and Gomorrah to bring them to repentance, but to completely destroy them. However, if we look at Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-20 we will find the primary objective of the church. In short, the church is to bring sinners to repentance. No New Orleans, God did not bring Hurricane Katrina upon you, although after such a disaster one would think that all who have rejected the LORD Jesus Christ and have turned to their own ways would have repented and today be reaping the blessings of the LORD. Hurricane Katrina is the result of a fallen world under the influence of Satan, the god of this age and therefore like every other person who does not see God's true nature as it is revealed in scripture, that of blessings and life, will continue to blame God for bad things happening.
I could have shared many more passages of scripture as proof of God's true nature, but space would not permitted it. But I will say, from the "In the beginning" of Genesis to the "Grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" of Revelation, God's desire was and is to bless man and have fellowship with him throughout eternity. It has been the destructive nature of sin and Satan since man's fall that has tainted and twisted God's true desire for humanity. However, the good news is, God Himself has pursued man to restore him to his sinless position with Himself. Those who reject His offer to be a part of this will feel the repercussions of the unpardonable sin, separation from God forever in a lake of fire. Those who have accepted His FREE gift of salvation will experience paradise in His presence forever. If you have not received God's FREE gift of life, then please do the following...
"...confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) In doing so, you can have the calm assurance to what Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24)
If you have confessed Jesus Christ as LORD and have received Him as your Savior, then please seek a Bible believing congregation that will disciple you to grow in faith, "For without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6)
Monday, February 20, 2012
Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 16
Now we will look at another very interesting situation in the ministry of Jesus. Remember that Jesus said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. "
(John 6:38) In other words, if we want to know the Fathers will, nature and purpose, all we have to do is observe what Jesus said and did. He perfectly reveals the Father's will, nature and purpose in all things.
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:1-5)
Notice that the disciples assumed that this mans condition was caused by his parents or his sin insinuating that God was punishing this man with blindness due to someones sin. Here is another issue that many Christians have been trained to believe. If they have sin in their life they can expect God to punish them with some kind of affliction. Now there are consequences to sin, but the consequences come because sin gives place to the devil. It is not an act of punishment from God. Remember, from the beginning of mans history God gave Adam a choice to eat of the tree of life and live or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and die. (Genesis 2:9, 15-17) God gave the same choice to Israel, chose life and blessing or cursing and death (Deuteronomy 30:19) The same principles apply today and will continue to apply until the end of time, choice. But for the Christian, God's great love and mercy has provided away to close the door on sin taking away any advantage that Satan would try to use, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (John 1:9)
Now, notice Jesus' response to the disciples assumption, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." His condition was not due to sin, but that the true nature of God would be revealed. His true nature is one of life, healing, deliverance, provision, that is life and blessing not death, sickness, hurt, pain, affliction and cursing! Unfortunately, another false teaching paints this situation from a twisted perspective. It says that God caused the blindness and now would show His mercy. This is total heresy because it says that God changes when in fact He is immutable, He never changes.
Next, Jesus reveals and important message for us to grasp, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me." The healing of blindness which was about to happen IS GOD'S WILL!!! There should be no question at all that God does not cause bad things to happen under any circumstances!
There is another important point that Jesus reveals, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." This is a prophetic statement. Jesus was not speaking of His physical appearance on the earth only, but is telling us that these very things, life, healing, deliverance, provision, blessings, etc. are always available for every person, especially believer because He said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) He is with us through the Holy Spirit.
However, once again we see the faithless religious reject God's will in Christ, "...The Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Unfortunately faithless church leaders today do exactly the same. They always look for a reason to discredit God's Word or His work. The sad thing is, like the Pharisees they are convinced that they are walking in truth. However, they operate in the same realm as Thomas, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I WILL NOT BELIEVE." (John 20:25) Why won't they believe? They themselves are blind. Jesus said, "...They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." (Matthew 15:14) I always find it interesting that everything pertaining to Christianity has it's roots in faith and yet it is the subject that most Christians have the least understanding of. There is a diabolical scheme that has gripped the hearts of many church leaders today which has caused them to refrain from teaching and preaching on true biblical faith.
Let's see how the matter unfolds, "So they (the Pharisees) again called the man who was blind, and said to him,"Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner." He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." Then they said to him again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from." The man answered and said to them,"Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing." They answered and said to him,"You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out." (John 9:24-34)
Once again notice the hardness of the Pharisees hearts. They are working hard to discredit the very God who established a covenant with Moses who they say they know. There was no recorded history that a man opened the blind eyes of another and yet their unbelief, as we saw above, blinds them from reality. So their answer to the whole matter... Let's get rid of it, ""And they cast him out." Although this man being rejected by his own people may seem to be a totally unfair, it actually became a wonderful blessing to him,
"Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him." (John 9:35-38)
What a blessing. Not only did this man receive his physical sight, but he also received spiritual insight as to who the One was that opened his blind eye. Notice the man's response, "LORD I Believe!" He recognized Jesus as LORD and he believed. Although physical blindness was gone, this man's faith in Jesus is what truly set him free. Christians must exercise the same boldness and faith when church leaders threaten them to believe contrary to God's Word and Will. I believe that there are many Christians today who truly love the LORD but sit under the bondage of church leaders who teach that bad things do come from God. But there is wonderful news. Christians do not have to live under afflictions and bondage any longer. All they need to do is to let go of the wisdom of men and abide in the Word of God. In doing so their faith will increase (Romans 10:17) and they will walk in the abundant life that Jesus has already given.
(John 6:38) In other words, if we want to know the Fathers will, nature and purpose, all we have to do is observe what Jesus said and did. He perfectly reveals the Father's will, nature and purpose in all things.
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:1-5)
Notice that the disciples assumed that this mans condition was caused by his parents or his sin insinuating that God was punishing this man with blindness due to someones sin. Here is another issue that many Christians have been trained to believe. If they have sin in their life they can expect God to punish them with some kind of affliction. Now there are consequences to sin, but the consequences come because sin gives place to the devil. It is not an act of punishment from God. Remember, from the beginning of mans history God gave Adam a choice to eat of the tree of life and live or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and die. (Genesis 2:9, 15-17) God gave the same choice to Israel, chose life and blessing or cursing and death (Deuteronomy 30:19) The same principles apply today and will continue to apply until the end of time, choice. But for the Christian, God's great love and mercy has provided away to close the door on sin taking away any advantage that Satan would try to use, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (John 1:9)
Now, notice Jesus' response to the disciples assumption, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." His condition was not due to sin, but that the true nature of God would be revealed. His true nature is one of life, healing, deliverance, provision, that is life and blessing not death, sickness, hurt, pain, affliction and cursing! Unfortunately, another false teaching paints this situation from a twisted perspective. It says that God caused the blindness and now would show His mercy. This is total heresy because it says that God changes when in fact He is immutable, He never changes.
Next, Jesus reveals and important message for us to grasp, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me." The healing of blindness which was about to happen IS GOD'S WILL!!! There should be no question at all that God does not cause bad things to happen under any circumstances!
There is another important point that Jesus reveals, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." This is a prophetic statement. Jesus was not speaking of His physical appearance on the earth only, but is telling us that these very things, life, healing, deliverance, provision, blessings, etc. are always available for every person, especially believer because He said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) He is with us through the Holy Spirit.
However, once again we see the faithless religious reject God's will in Christ, "...The Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Unfortunately faithless church leaders today do exactly the same. They always look for a reason to discredit God's Word or His work. The sad thing is, like the Pharisees they are convinced that they are walking in truth. However, they operate in the same realm as Thomas, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I WILL NOT BELIEVE." (John 20:25) Why won't they believe? They themselves are blind. Jesus said, "...They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." (Matthew 15:14) I always find it interesting that everything pertaining to Christianity has it's roots in faith and yet it is the subject that most Christians have the least understanding of. There is a diabolical scheme that has gripped the hearts of many church leaders today which has caused them to refrain from teaching and preaching on true biblical faith.
Let's see how the matter unfolds, "So they (the Pharisees) again called the man who was blind, and said to him,"Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner." He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." Then they said to him again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from." The man answered and said to them,"Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing." They answered and said to him,"You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out." (John 9:24-34)
Once again notice the hardness of the Pharisees hearts. They are working hard to discredit the very God who established a covenant with Moses who they say they know. There was no recorded history that a man opened the blind eyes of another and yet their unbelief, as we saw above, blinds them from reality. So their answer to the whole matter... Let's get rid of it, ""And they cast him out." Although this man being rejected by his own people may seem to be a totally unfair, it actually became a wonderful blessing to him,
"Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him." (John 9:35-38)
What a blessing. Not only did this man receive his physical sight, but he also received spiritual insight as to who the One was that opened his blind eye. Notice the man's response, "LORD I Believe!" He recognized Jesus as LORD and he believed. Although physical blindness was gone, this man's faith in Jesus is what truly set him free. Christians must exercise the same boldness and faith when church leaders threaten them to believe contrary to God's Word and Will. I believe that there are many Christians today who truly love the LORD but sit under the bondage of church leaders who teach that bad things do come from God. But there is wonderful news. Christians do not have to live under afflictions and bondage any longer. All they need to do is to let go of the wisdom of men and abide in the Word of God. In doing so their faith will increase (Romans 10:17) and they will walk in the abundant life that Jesus has already given.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 15
Luke's gospel reveals another very important issue where Jesus plainly reveals to us where sickness comes from. This is important because many Christians today live with numerous sicknesses and affliction in their bodies and minds that are not from God though their church leaders have told them that they are . God does not have some hidden mysterious reason to bring sickness and or affliction upon His children for any reason!
Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
(Luke 13:10-13)
The first thing that we notice is this woman's affliction was being cause by "a spirit of infirmity." There is not one shred of evidence that some how God was behind this or that this woman some how deserved to have this dreaded condition. This was a demon spirit that was causing her condition. Now let's look at a typical reaction by the ruler of the synagogue (many of today's church leaders) to what Jesus did for this woman.
But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd,"There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day." (Luke 13:14) Clearly the Jews believed in healing; however, here we see that the ruler of the synagogue was looking for a reason to discredit Jesus, but what was really operating behind the scenes was the same thing that opposed Jesus in Nazareth...
Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. (Mark 6:1-6) Notice that it does not say that Jesus would not do mighty works, but that He COULD NOT do no mighty works. Why? "Because of their unbelief."
In the church today, the LORD is unable to heal many of His children due to them being trained in unbelief by unbelieving church leaders. These church leaders teach unbelief because they have relied on the words of faithless Bible teachers and seminary professors rather than letting the Holy Spirit lead them into all truth. It is baffling that pastors, shepherds of Gods people, are not true shepherds because they do not truly Feed His lambs, Tend His Sheep and Feed His Sheep as the Shepherds did in the early church. This can only be accomplished by truly following Jesus, applying faith to His Word and rejecting the commandments of men. (John 21:15-23, Matthew 15:7-9)
Not see the conclusion of this matter...
The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. (Luke 13:15-17)
Who had bound this woman? Satan! God had nothing to do with this woman's infirmity. But who freed this woman? The LORD!!! Also look at the words that Jesus uses, "whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years." Jesus, in a sense is saying, if you really think about this, you will see that Satan is behind all sickness and affliction (Bad things) not God. Logical thinking will reveal that God is the one who is behind healing and health, think about it. When Jesus' adversaries did think about it, they were put to shame.
For eighteen years this woman had to suffer with this condition because the leaders of the people were not truly leading the people for the LORD. You see it is faith that unlocks all the mysteries of God and gives us the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit that leads the believers to a realm that transcends all the faithless teaching that do not reveal Gods true nature and the believers rights in Christ. It is faith in and acting upon God's Word that releases the power of God. So think about what Jesus said, "all it takes is a mustard seed of Faith" and you will clearly see that bad things do not come from God!
Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
(Luke 13:10-13)
The first thing that we notice is this woman's affliction was being cause by "a spirit of infirmity." There is not one shred of evidence that some how God was behind this or that this woman some how deserved to have this dreaded condition. This was a demon spirit that was causing her condition. Now let's look at a typical reaction by the ruler of the synagogue (many of today's church leaders) to what Jesus did for this woman.
But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd,"There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day." (Luke 13:14) Clearly the Jews believed in healing; however, here we see that the ruler of the synagogue was looking for a reason to discredit Jesus, but what was really operating behind the scenes was the same thing that opposed Jesus in Nazareth...
Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. (Mark 6:1-6) Notice that it does not say that Jesus would not do mighty works, but that He COULD NOT do no mighty works. Why? "Because of their unbelief."
In the church today, the LORD is unable to heal many of His children due to them being trained in unbelief by unbelieving church leaders. These church leaders teach unbelief because they have relied on the words of faithless Bible teachers and seminary professors rather than letting the Holy Spirit lead them into all truth. It is baffling that pastors, shepherds of Gods people, are not true shepherds because they do not truly Feed His lambs, Tend His Sheep and Feed His Sheep as the Shepherds did in the early church. This can only be accomplished by truly following Jesus, applying faith to His Word and rejecting the commandments of men. (John 21:15-23, Matthew 15:7-9)
Not see the conclusion of this matter...
The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. (Luke 13:15-17)
Who had bound this woman? Satan! God had nothing to do with this woman's infirmity. But who freed this woman? The LORD!!! Also look at the words that Jesus uses, "whom Satan has bound — think of it — for eighteen years." Jesus, in a sense is saying, if you really think about this, you will see that Satan is behind all sickness and affliction (Bad things) not God. Logical thinking will reveal that God is the one who is behind healing and health, think about it. When Jesus' adversaries did think about it, they were put to shame.
For eighteen years this woman had to suffer with this condition because the leaders of the people were not truly leading the people for the LORD. You see it is faith that unlocks all the mysteries of God and gives us the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit that leads the believers to a realm that transcends all the faithless teaching that do not reveal Gods true nature and the believers rights in Christ. It is faith in and acting upon God's Word that releases the power of God. So think about what Jesus said, "all it takes is a mustard seed of Faith" and you will clearly see that bad things do not come from God!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 14
In the last part of this series we saw that natural disasters are not caused by God but and a product of the fall of man. Nature would no longer enjoy peace and harmony but has taken on the nature of its new ruler, Satan. We also saw that natural disasters are not a product of God's judgment because He punished and or judged all sin in Christ, His Son and in doing so, justice was satisfied, the just for the unjust.
Now let's look at another situation to prove that God is not causing natural disasters to come upon the earth today.
"Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:23-27)
There as some things that we need to take notice of. Christ rebukes the wind and sea and they obey Him. If this was brought on by His Father, if it was God's will to do this, then Jesus in a sense would be rebuking His Father. We also must consider another very important point if you truly believe that God causes natural disasters. Who is the wind and sea going to obey, the Father who caused it or the Son who rebuked it? Of course you can see that this is utter nonsense. God did not cause this storm, it was caused by the "god of this world," Satan. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Remember Jesus said, "A house divided will not stand."
There is another very important point that we must see in this passage of scripture. Look at what Jesus says to the disciples, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith." This was not a lesson in faith for the disciples only, by for all believers today. Jesus is indicating that if any of the disciples (which includes believers today) would have spoken "to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:23) However, fear will neutralize faith every time. Fear is an enemy of faith because it is a product of Satan.
So now we can clearly see once again that not only does God NOT cause natural disasters to happen, but if believers act upon God's Word in the same manner that Jesus did, the tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, flood and other natural disasters would obey. Of course this takes the absence of fear and the presences of God like faith, but let's remember what Jesus said to His disciples, "So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God." (Mark 11:22) or a more literal translation, "HAVE GOD LIKE FAITH.
Now let's look at another situation to prove that God is not causing natural disasters to come upon the earth today.
"Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:23-27)
There as some things that we need to take notice of. Christ rebukes the wind and sea and they obey Him. If this was brought on by His Father, if it was God's will to do this, then Jesus in a sense would be rebuking His Father. We also must consider another very important point if you truly believe that God causes natural disasters. Who is the wind and sea going to obey, the Father who caused it or the Son who rebuked it? Of course you can see that this is utter nonsense. God did not cause this storm, it was caused by the "god of this world," Satan. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Remember Jesus said, "A house divided will not stand."
There is another very important point that we must see in this passage of scripture. Look at what Jesus says to the disciples, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith." This was not a lesson in faith for the disciples only, by for all believers today. Jesus is indicating that if any of the disciples (which includes believers today) would have spoken "to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:23) However, fear will neutralize faith every time. Fear is an enemy of faith because it is a product of Satan.
So now we can clearly see once again that not only does God NOT cause natural disasters to happen, but if believers act upon God's Word in the same manner that Jesus did, the tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, flood and other natural disasters would obey. Of course this takes the absence of fear and the presences of God like faith, but let's remember what Jesus said to His disciples, "So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God." (Mark 11:22) or a more literal translation, "HAVE GOD LIKE FAITH.
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