Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.
 
I've been teaching through the five books of Moses and after a while it struck me that God seemed just plain meaner and more short-tempered in the Pentateuch than anywhere else in the Bible. 
 
While there is a myth among the ignorant of the "mean" Old Testament God, a light perusal of the Old Testament shows this just isn't so.  God endured rebellion after rebellion of His people with punishments that were quickly rescinded as the people repented.  Although the cycle of sin/punishment/repentance/salvation in Judges is well known, what is sometimes missed is that this occurred over more than 300 years, and, often, fairly localized.  Over those 300 years we see eight or nine periods of punishment for the near constant sin of God's people? 
 
Once kings were established and the northern ten tribes broke away, those ten tribes constantly lived in sin.  First perverting the worship of God, they then turned away from Him to Baal.  And yet God, in His mercy, begged them through prophet after prophet to repent for more than 200 years after "Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin," and more than 100 years after the death of Ahab, who turned them to Baal, before He finally destroyed them. 
 
The southern kingdom of Judah, with its periods of repentance, lasted nearly 120 years more, despite greater levels of sin.  As the end came near, God begged Judah to repent for He did not wish to destroy them (Ezek. 18:31; 33:11).  Truly, the Old Testament shows not a vindictive God, but a merciful God who delayed punishment beyond all reasonable expectation of the people, desiring that "all should reach repentance." (2 Pet. 3:9)
 
But in the Pentateuch?  Wow!  In less than forty years, God plans to wipe out all of Israel and start over with Moses's offspring multiple times (Ex. 32:9-10; Numb. 14:11-12; 16:21).  Since the people had so thoroughly and quickly broken the covenant, He could not be held to it either.  He would get them to the Promised Land to fulfill His promise to Abraham, but He would not go with them (Ex. 33:1-3).  God "broke out against them" many other times in drastic punishments of their sins.  We see the jealousy and vengeance of God more often in the forty year period of wilderness wandering than we do in the rest of the Old Testament combined (maybe a slight exaggeration).  It made me wonder why.
 
Maybe one reason is this:  in every instance of God's wrath we see an instance of Moses interceding for the people.  In Ex. 3:11-14, Moses implored and God relented.  In 32:30 he tells the people they have sinned greatly but perhaps he could make atonement for them.  In 33:12-17 Moses intercedes and God renews the covenant relationship with the people.  Moses intercedes again in Numbers 14:13-19 and in verse 20 God relents again.  This is repeated in Numb. 16:22.  Again, it was Moses who interceded for the people when the fiery serpents came upon them (Numb. 21:7).  Even on a personal level Moses interceded for the people.  When Miriam was struck with leprosy for her rebellion, Aaron did not pray to God for mercy, he begged Moses to intercede (Number 12).  Moses did, and Miriam was healed after a seven day "timeout".   Moses constantly stood ready to intercede between the people and God, even when he was personally wearied by the people's sins. 
 
In Deut. 18:15 Moses prophesies that a prophet will arise "like me" and it is to that prophet that the people should listen.  When discussing this, most look at the fact that Moses spoke to God face-to-face rather then prophesying through dreams and visions and that Moses was the law-giver.  Jesus fulfills these qualities of a prophet like Moses.  He had been face-to-face with God for eternity and is the giver of the perfect law of liberty.  But to be truly a prophet like Moses, Jesus would have to stand between the people and God.  He would need to be ready always to make intercession and turn away the wrath of God.  Lo, and behold, Heb. 7:25!  "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (emphasis mine)  We can stand before God only because Jesus makes intercession.  We live, despite the wrath our sins generate, only because Jesus turns that anger away.  He is the only one who can stand with His hand on the shoulder of both God and man (Job 9:33), as He alone knows what it means to be both God and man.  He embodies this aspect of Moses as well, truly making Him the prophet that was to come. 
 
It is easy, as one reads through the Pentateuch, to see that the burden of intercession bore heavily on Moses.  One imagines that it might be so for Jesus as well.  Let us strive to lessen that burden as much as possible by living lives of righteousness.  One day that burden will grow too great and He will return "rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus" (2 Thess. 1:8)
 
Rom. 8:34  "…who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Isa. 53:12  "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
 
Lucas Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

Sometimes I wonder whether our modesty has become a bushel that hides our light. Paul on occasion found the need to boast of the things he had suffered to preach, list the things he had given up to follow Jesus, and report the work he had done by God's grace (2Cor 11:16-33, Phil 3:4-7, Acts 14:27, 15:12). Not only so, but Barnabas's generosity was known to the whole church (Acts 4:36-37). Somehow, it seems we have let our fear of appearing like Ananias and Sapphira keep us from letting our light shine. Of course, many of you have already figured out that the above is my excuse for doing a little boasting. Judge whether it is light shining or ego.

For most of our 48 ½ years, Dene and I have lived with our financial noses barely above water and occasionally sputtered and bubbled a little bit. Then, beginning with the death of my parents we got our chins out and with the passing of hers, we find ourselves to be relatively comfortable. We have lived in the same 24 X 56 doublewide since the boys were 5 and 3 (1982) and have upgraded it over the years with a screened porch (her father's gift), a roofover, siding, kitchen cabinets, laminate flooring, but, it is still a mobile home. After the emotions settled from her mother's passing, we discussed building a house on our 5 acres. We can afford it now, a REAL HOUSE!

We decided not. Our grandparents raised 3-8 children in houses much smaller than even this trailer. At my age, we may be here a few more years or a few more days so a house might be all the disruption with little benefit. Finally, many had helped us along the way and we longed for this opportunity to help others. So, we will continue to pray throughout the hurricane season for truly, we live in a house of sticks.

In the last few years, we have helped preachers in Nicaragua, Africa and a few in the U.S. We have donated to St Judes (Not Catholic affiliated), the hospice that cared for our (Dene's) Mom, Sacred Selections, Florida College, etc. We continue to live under the budget set when I retired with an occasional splurge.
I am aware of a number of other twice blessed brethren who have followed the same principle and given much more in dollars, so the following will not apply to many of our readers.

But, it is immediately obvious on the face that many if not most church members are more interested in bigger houses, newer cars, fashionable clothes, recreation, etc. than they are in furthering the work of the Lord. Look where their money goes! Look where their time goes! Listen to what they talk about most. Bigger Barns.

We pray every night for the Christians in other countries that struggle for enough to eat, make decisions about going hungry or buying medicine for an ongoing illness, and other such problems, but who are rich in faith.

We pray just as fervently for Christians in America who are not aware that God is blessing them to meet those needs, not so they can have bigger, better, and more.
 
"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, THAT HE MAY HAVE TO GIVE TO HIM THAT NEEDS. " (Eph 4:28).
"And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise"  (Luke 3:11).  
"CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEEDS OF THE SAINTS, pursue hospitality." (Rom 12:13).
"Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and GENEROUS TO THOSE IN NEED, always being ready to share with others. " (1Tim 6:18).
Jesus and the apostles said one does not have to be rich to share.
 
Keith Ward
 
 

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

Deut. 1:3  "And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that Jehovah had given him in commandment unto them"

In our last discussion of how Moses taught, we showed how Moses only taught the people what the Lord had told him to say.  In new situations, Moses went to the Lord to learn what needed to be done. He never took it upon himself to speak for the Lord.  He only commanded as the Lord commanded him.  In the above verse, we see a difference of emphasis.  As Moses began his last series of addresses to the people we are told that he spoke all that the Lord had commanded.  He didn't pick and choose.  He didn't only tell them the stuff that sounded pleasant or that would build their egos.  He didn't cater to those with "itching ears" who would "turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to fables." (2 Tim. 4:3-4)
 
All too often, modern preachers -- catering to modern audiences -- only preach the nice things in the New Testament.  They preach on salvation, heaven, and the blessings of God.  They preach about the ability to do "all things through Him that strengthens me" and all things "working together for the good of them that love the Lord".  While these things are Biblical principles that should be taught, the same supposed "Gospel Preachers" never seem to mention the harder truths of the New Testament.  Too many preachers ignore the passages calling for sacrifice, for putting to death who we were and striving to grow in Christian qualities, no matter how difficult that is.  We don't hear about being in submission one to another, in humility putting others before ourselves or that we should consider our needs of least concern in the face of the needs of the brethren.  We are rarely warned anymore of Hell or of the immediacy of the need to repent.  "While it is called Today," the writer of Hebrews implores. 
 
Moses spent long passages extolling the blessings of God and the wonders of the Promised Land to which the people were going.  He prophesied that the other nations of the world would bow down to Israel as the chosen of God if Israel would keep the covenant.  Moses spent longer passages, however, warning of the curses that would come upon the people if they sinned and the ultimate results of breaking the covenant they had made with God.  Most everyone is more motivated by avoiding the bad than they are by attaining the good.  God knows this and so instructed Moses to teach, yet modern preachers far too often leave out any hint of consequences in their so-called "Gospel" sermons.  Ironic, since we know more about the Hell from the teachings of Jesus than from all other sources combined.
 
Preachers: do better.  Be sure to present the whole word of God.  Audiences: demand better.  If all you want is your ego to be stroked, then you won't find that in a Biblical church.  If you want to be challenged unto salvation, however, that is what the Gospel does.  Demand Gospel preaching!
 
One final thought:  Moses taught all.  He didn't set up a system of secret knowledge available only to the initiated so that a select few could lord it over the rest of the people.  Moses taught all.  If you are part of some group that has a system of levels that one must climb to attain the true, hidden knowledge then you are not a part of a group that follows the Biblical example.  The lowliest Christian has full access to the revelation of God through His word.  That, in fact, is a major theme of 1 John.  Seek out the truth!
 
Acts 20:26-27  "Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God."

Lucas Ward
 

Today's post is by guest writer Warren Berkley. 

Talk to God. Can you think of any occasion, issue, or problem that you shouldn’t pray about? I can’t. Any matter that is important enough to think about is important enough to pray about. If you are bothered, believing you have been mistreated or offended by your brother, talk to God about it. Lay the problem out before Him, asking for wisdom, patience, love, and objectivity. If you believe your brother has sinned against you, pray to God sincerely for him. If you think your brother is guilty of sin or error, pray for him and pray for yourself, so that you might use a mature and godly approach to the problem. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him,” (James 1:5).

Talk to yourself. Before you go to your brother, consider the possibility that you might be the problem; or at least part of the problem. Examine yourself; your attitude and perspective. Use the Word of God as a mirror to look at yourself and talk to yourself (Jas. 1:21-25). Jesus said, in the context of this very matter, “take heed to yourselves,” (see Luke 17:1-4).

Talk to him. The typical reaction, when you believe your brother has mistreated you, is to broadcast your irritation to everybody but the brother. To tell others “your side of the story” before the brother even knows there is a story. Jesus said, “go and tell him his fault between you and him alone,” (Matt. 18:15). That is the law of Christ!

Talk to him promptly. Of all the words spoken by Jesus, I don’t know of many as ignored by my brethren as these three words: “Agree with your adversary quickly,” (Matt. 5:25). I’ve never heard of a Christian denying that Christ said this, but few seem to take it seriously. At the first sign of trouble, we need to respond by talking to our brother. We need to take this action “quickly” not “eventually.” This is the law of Christ!

Talk to him lovingly. “Let brotherly love continue” even in times of conflict (Heb. 13:1). If your brother has sinned against you, he needs your love – not your selfish, immature reactions. When you talk to him, do so in a manner that displays your love for God and your love for his soul. The object in your conversation with him is not to vent your wrath, but to express your love and communicate God’s will in such a way, the conflict is resolved; the sin is forsaken; the misunderstanding is settled. (See Prov. 27:5,6). Stand for what is right, but do it “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,” (2 Cor. 10:1). “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing,” (Prov. 12:18). And, “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God,” (Jas. 1:20).

Talk to him patiently. If your first visit does not yield good results, go back again. If the problem has the potential of harming you, hindering others and hurting the cause of Christ – don’t give up quickly. Keep trying to work the problem out to a godly result. One thing is certain, if two people love the Lord, there is no problem they cannot solve through the good attitudes and actions the Lord has taught us.

Truth Connection: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” (Gal. 6:1-5).
 
Warren Berkley
 
Warren Berkley is a faithful preacher of God's Word. He is the assistant editor for Pressing On, an e-magazine from which this article was taken.  He and his wife Paula work with the church in McAllen,Texas which is just across the border from Mexico.
If you are interested in receiving Pressing On, contact me by clicking on the contact page on the left sidebar, and I will see to it that you get the information you need.  --dw

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

Sometimes we focus too much on theology and theory.  Trying to understand the why’s and the methods by which God works can be illuminating. We understand that a man is saved by grace; that he is saved by faith. But some go too far in their assertions of what those mean in relation to the life a Christian must live. Their theories state that one cannot overcome sin on a regular continuing basis.  Their theories begin to usurp the place of plain statements of scripture and often excuse a careless attitude toward God’s demand for holy living. And, make no mistake, it is a demand.
 
Not to dismiss the passages on grace and faith from which the theology proceeds, let us consider some of the “on the other hand” applications made by the same writers inspired by the same Holy Spirit.
 
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL DEFILEMENT of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  (2 Cor 7:1)
 
Sort of absolute, “all.”  Perfecting is not "one and done," but is ongoing as is the cleansing—get clean and stay clean.
 
For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2: 11-12)
 
Grace instructs all to live righteously, godly. Not much wiggle-room for the "We all sin every day" statement we hear so often.
 
Holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith  (1Tim 1:19)
 
So, one could go a whole day, or longer with a good conscience! In fact, the grace of God can be so powerful in one’s life that he has to “thrust” a good conscience away, shove it aside in order to fall.
 
For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye ABSTAIN from fornication (1Thess 4:3) ABSTAIN from every form of evil.  (1Thess 5:22)
 
We understand this means to abstain from evil in every shape it comes in. Again, the Holy Spirit is absolute, but we make excuses, "That is just the way I am," "I am doing the best I can and that is all God requires."
 
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry  (Col 3:5)
 
Kill it. Don’t just reduce it. Kill it. Don’t be satisfied with being better than last week or last year, KILL IT! (Repeat all the excuses above for your comfort in your status quo).
 
Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these, I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things WILL NOT INHERIT the kingdom of God  (Gal 5:21)
 
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?  (Rom 6:16)
 
LET NOT SIN THEREFORE REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY, that ye should obey the lusts thereof:  neither present your members unto sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace  (Rom 6: 12-14)
 
Grace is the power to choose whom you serve. To sin is to serve sin and to prove oneself not under grace. Sin is the choice to obey oneself instead of living in Grace.
 
But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected  (1Cor 9:27)
 
If Paul had to work at it this hard, we know that it is not easy. To buffet is to beat like a boxer. No nonsense about that approach. And not much room for "back row Christians."
 
With all the theorizing about grace and faith, that one cannot achieve sinlessness, even for a short time, we discourage others from doing what the Scriptures clearly command. Perhaps we could even say, grace has become a cloak to cover impenitence.
 
To repent means to STOP what one repents of. That is clearly the import of these passages and dozens of others.
 
The sermons I have heard that use these verses usually go on to say that we all know we cannot really do this! Really?! Are they not saying to just keep sinning and praying for forgiveness that grace may abound (Rom 6:1)?
 
If God said it, he gives us the power to do it. Doing it is a daily effort. These verses were written to people who had been Christians for some time. Therefore, Grace does not magically make us okay despite the sin, or cause God to ignore the sin on the basis of Christ. God expects us to overcome our sin.
 
Yes, I struggle; more, perhaps on that later. Overcoming is no easy task and getting old is not a solution or else 75 is still too young. The solution is to effectively use the grace of God to renew our minds and transform ourselves.
 
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has CEASED FROM SIN, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you  (1Pet 4:1-4).
 
Keith Ward
 
 

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward

Moses was the leader of the children of Israel as they wandered through the wilderness.  He was the law-giver, the one who judged between the people and the one who consecrated the priesthood.  To worldly eyes, he was in all intents and purposes a king.  In fact, that was the gripe that Dathan and Abiram had with him when they joined Korah in his rebellion.  They thought Moses had gotten too big for his britches.  God, of course, showed them otherwise.  One might look at all this and think, "Wow, what authority!"  But look at these passages:

Num. 9:6-8  "And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day.  And those men said to him, “We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the LORD's offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?”  And Moses said to them, “Wait, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.”" 
Num. 15:32-35  "While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.  And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation.  They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him.   And the LORD said to Moses . . ."
Num. 27:1-5  "Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.  And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons.  Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers.”  Moses brought their case before the LORD." 
Num. 36:2-5  "They said, “The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the people of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.  But if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the people of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers and added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.  And when the jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry, and their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”  And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the LORD"

            Do you see the common thread in all of these passages?  In each of these cases something came up for which God had not yet issued a commandment.  Surely Moses, in his wisdom and in his place as trusted servant of God, could be trusted to make the judgment himself, right?  Yet Moses never did this.  In every case we see him going to God to ask, or waiting for God to speak.  Moses never usurped God's authority, never added to what God had told him to say, never took anything away.  When Moses spoke, he "commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the Lord." 
            Most of the religious world needs to relearn the humility and dedication of Moses.
 
2 John 1:9  "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son."
 
Lucas Ward
 

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.
 
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet: but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead. And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; (Rom 7:7-9)
 
Heady, deep stuff fitting for serious theological discussion, right? I know I have struggled at times to find a way to explain these verses with words that will let the hearer comprehend my understanding.
 
Then, at work, I saw a sign on the door that leads from our building to a covered patio with a few tables, “Don’t slam the door.”  I have never noticed that the door slammed.  In 15 years in that building, no one ever put up such a note before.  But.  When I saw the sign (the commandment came) I was immediately tempted to slam the door (sin revived).  I seldom go out the door.  The door is near the men’s bathroom.  Every time I pass the sign, I am tempted to open it just to slam it.  I would have not known sin except someone made a law!  The problem is not the law, “The law is holy and righteous and good.”  Slamming the door disturbs someone; evidently it is easy to let it slam, to shut it harder than intended.  It is good to be kind to others.  “Did then that which is good become death to me?”  Not yet.  So far, I have resisted the temptation to slam the door.  “But, I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing”.  Ask Dene, I am ornery to the core.
 
But, I am not “sold under sin.”  Unlike the man of Rom 7:7-24, I have been “delivered from the body of this death” through Christ (see Rom 6:1-14 for an expansion of how). Though, I may often struggle with the temptation, I have sufficient grace to help me resist slamming the door.  It is my choice to "reckon myself to be alive unto God” (6:11).
 
(I must confess that I sometimes slam the bathroom door.)
 
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace. " (Rom 6:12-14).
 
Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

Our compact SUV gets 35.5 mpg on the average, a few tenths more on long trips. I am that guy who irritates you by accelerating slowly and coasting up to red lights. I laugh at those who speed by me to brake at the same light as I coast up beside them. Once a mechanic told me three five-thousand mile checkups in a row that I would need new brakes the next visit. Traded that one with the same brake pads. Gas and brakes are both expensive and I am cheap.

Unfortunately, our average mpg counter is connected to our trip meter which rolls over to zero every 10,000 miles and which happened while we were in town today. We were treated to the erratic "average" ranging from 2mpg to 22mpg as we accelerated or idled at red lights. (PSA! Those automatic turn off features for red lights rarely save gas and wear out your starter motor). The average was based on only a few miles. Once we got on the interstate on the way home (in the right late at 64mph—avoid frustration and sin get there 10 minutes later), the average climbed steadily to an unrealistic 38.8mpg! Even our .4 mile, 5mph max, rough driveway left it at 38 when we pulled into the carport.  

Sometimes we need to be more forgiving and encouraging with new Christians. Their average is starting off at zero and their growth may well resemble the erratic average (?) our car exhibited since their average is based on only a short time. Strong one day, carnal the next minute; impressive for a time and then inexplicably downhill into sin. Yes, they need correction, reproof even, but mostly they need Barnabas (Acts 4:36). Such men were rare even in Bible times or his actions would not have earned Joseph this nickname.

And even more mature Christians often could raise their average a good bit. Just like a long day in town lowers our mpg, a rough patch in life can lower one's spirituality unless he is on guard or gets help. Unfortunately, our American culture frowns on being so weak as to need or, God forbid, ask for help. An elder once commented, "How could he sit in church and participate (and teach) for so many years and believe that?" (after the man quit and still claimed to be right with God). I wonder if someone might say something like that about some of my behavior? It frightens me that so many can attend faithfully and go to work the next day and discuss shows like, "Game of Thrones" with their coworkers, or movies that are even worse. If it is wrong to do, why is it right to watch? How can the world know that being a Christian is special, moral, godly?

These are not modern problems, the church at Ephesus had been in existence about eight years and the first three under Paul's personal tutelage yet he wrote: "But you did not so learn Christ," "Put away the old man that is corrupted by the lusts of deceit," "Put away falsehood," "Steal no more," "Let no corrupt speech come out of your mouth," "But let not fornication and…covetousness be named among you" (Eph 4:20-5:3, sel). Two or three years later he wrote Timothy at Ephesus that "Men might know to behave themselves in the …church of God" (1Tim3:15). Over thirty years later, Jesus accused that they had left their first love, they were just holding church and practicing no wrong (Rev 2:4).

Every New Testament epistle was written to Christians and nearly every one commands that they cease practicing immorality (Gal 5:16-25; Col 3:5-10; 1Thess 4:1-5; 1Pet 2:1, 11, 4:1-5) with many encouragements to "Not let sin reign." (Rom 6:12).

Sometimes it appears that Christians are on cruise control, content to average 30 mpg the remainder of their lives. Their differences from society are so slight that no one will be prompted to ask concerning the hope that is within them (1Pet 3:15). Where is the eagerness to learn more? To grow to a new level? To leave your old average in the dust?
 
"Don't you know that they that run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? EVEN SO RUN; that you may attain. And every man that STRIVES in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so RUN, as not uncertainly; so FIGHT I, as not beating the air: but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected." (1Cor 9:24-27).
 
 Keith Ward
(For a companion piece to this article, go to the right sidebar and click on August 2017, then scroll down to "Mass and Momentum.")

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward, the last in his Torah series.
 
Deut. 30:11-14  “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.  It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’  Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’  But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it."
 
            Moses begins the conclusion of his final sermon with this statement.  The people could keep the law if they chose to.  He had laid it out for them.  It wasn't a mystery still in heaven, nor was the writing of it on the other side of the world, requiring a hero's quest to obtain it.  It was very near, in their hearts and mouths.  They knew it.  They had heard it and Moses had written it down.  They could keep it if they chose. 
            This might seem odd to us, as the New Testament writers seem to declare the impossibility of keeping the law:  "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20) and Peter, when discussing why the Gentile Christians didn't need to keep the law, said, "Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?" (Acts 15:10)  And, indeed, it was a difficult law to live under with daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices as well as feast days and cleanliness laws that reached into every part of one's life.  (Did you know that there is an ordinance about what to do if a lizard happens to fall into one of your pots?  And the requirement changes depending upon what material your pot is made from!)  Moses wasn't discussing perfection under the law, the justification Paul mentions, but rather living by it, not turning from it, and offering the appropriate sacrifices for sin as needed.  He declares that they can keep it.
            Moses then emphasizes the choice, and its consequences:
          Deut. 30:15,19  “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. . . I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live"  In chapters 27&28, Moses had laid out the blessings and curses of the law.  God had promised immense blessings to the people if they kept His covenant and equally huge punishments if they broke the covenant.  Moses is making it clear that the choice of what happens belongs to the people.  Keep the covenant you've made with God and receive life and good, don't keep it and receive death and evil.  Moses implores the people, "choose life!"  God echoes this 800 years later as the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians approached.  The people had broken the law and because God keeps all His promises the curses were due.  Still, God implores His people to change: 
          Ezek. 18:31-32  "Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.” and Ezek. 33:11  "Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?"  One can almost see tears streaming down God's face as He begs His people to repent.  He doesn't want to destroy them, but He will because He always keeps His promises, even the unpleasant ones. 
            We, too, have a choice.  We have a law to live by, but in comparison to Moses' law ours is called a "perfect law of liberty." (James 1:25).  When Jesus described His requirements for His disciples, He said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."  (Matt. 11:30)  If Moses could confidently proclaim that the people could keep his law, what is my excuse? 
          We, too, face a choice laden with consequences.  On the one hand, blessings beyond the wildest dreams of the Israelites:  eternal life sharing in God's glory.  On the other hand, curses heavier than theirs, too: eternal death, burning in a lake of fire.  We can chose to believe in Jesus, living that belief, and receive eternal life (John 3:16) or we can chose to ignore the words of the scripture, and find our way to death (John 5:40). 
            After he finished the first Gospel sermon, Peter continued to exhort his listeners saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation" (Acts 2:40).  I offer that same invitation today, imploring you with the words Moses used so long ago, "Choose Life!"
 
Heb. 3:7-8a  "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts"
 
Lucas Ward
 

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

I first heard of Tony Campolo in 1985 when watching a video of a sales inspiration speech he gave. He told the story found in this book of a "preach off" where his Pastor beat his best with a sermon of this title.  I thought the sermon idea deserved more than use as a cheer for salesmen and developed it. When our preacher was at a meeting, I preached it in 25 minutes. He heard about the rave reviews, listened to the tape and went 45+ minutes. He said the reviews were not as good. I replied, "You told them too much, you need to rely on what you know that they know."

For years I searched for the book. Then Google came along and I learned that the original sermon was by S.M. Lockridge and is less than 4 minutes. With the help of captions, I listened to his version but have not yet "heard" Campolo's. If it is printed in any of his books, I have not found it yet.

If you want the sermon, you need to go to the youtube. It is not in this book. However, Campolo uses the theme as the basis for a number of excellent lessons teaching that Jesus answers our needs. His chapter defining the difference between romance and love is worth the time to read all 120 pages. But, the rest is hardly just filler. He will make you think, inspire you, maybe even change you into someone more zealous for good works and more focused on Jesus and eternity.

Keith Ward