Do we preach Jesus or salvation?

My last post was an excerpt from an article that I read recently. The author compared the gospel as we present it today to the presentation of the apostles as found in the Book of Acts. He presented the common and familiar outline of Gospel tracts: heaven is a free gift; man is a sinner and cannot save himself; Jesus died for man's sin; and, we can receive the free gift of salvation by faith. (I would say the extreme and logical result of this is the church sign I saw which said, “Free Ticket To Heaven - Details Inside.”)

The author of that article stated that the way the gospel is presented today does not match the gospel presentations we find in the book of Acts. I thought this a rather provocative statement so I decided to go through the book of Acts and see how the apostles presented the gospel. We have sermons (2, 10, 17 et al) and summaries. Here are the summary statements of their preaching:


5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. They were teaching that “Jesus is the Christ.”

8:5  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. The literal word order is, “preached to them the Christ.” Both in Jerusalem and in Samaria the message was “Jesus is the promised Christ.”

8:12  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
This is one of the most intriguing statements: the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ. His message was obviously about the kingdom of God and Jesus. But, “the things concerning…the name of Jesus”?

8:35  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God [In the Greek the response is, I believe the Son of God to be Jesus Christ].
This is one of my favorite passages in Acts! Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. His message was not about heaven, or forgiveness, or justification by faith – he told this man about Jesus. Several things are evident:
(1) he took the man through the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah and how Jesus fulfilled them in his life, ministry, death and resurrection – Jesus is the Christ.
(2) clearly, he mentioned baptism as the required response
(3) and he obviously declared that Jesus is the Son of God
An interesting feature of apostolic preaching – Philip was so intent on telling him about Jesus that the man had to ask if he could be baptized! When you go through the Book of Acts you find several instances of this. Perhaps we are so interested in the invitation/response that we do not tell them enough about Jesus.

9:20  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. This is a summary of Paul’s first preaching – Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

9:22  But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. Paul moved on but his message was the same, This is the Christ.

11:20  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

17:1  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
Here is another wonderful summary of the apostolic preaching: The Scriptures (Old Testament) say the Christ had to suffer (die) and rise again; and this Jesus that I am talking about is the Christ. The Jews stumbled over Jesus dying on the cross – How in the world could he be Messiah? So Paul said, the Bible says he would die and that he would rise again. This is the closest to our emphasis on “Jesus died for your sins” but that does not seem to be the thrust here. His message was, “Jesus is the Christ.” They complained, “Oh yeah, how can that be, he died.” He explained, “The Scriptures say Christ would suffer (death) and be raised from the dead.”

17:6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7  Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.
Does this help explain “the things concerning the kingdom of God?” Jesus is the Christ, he is the Son of God, and he is the King, the Lord…

18:28  For he [Apollos] mightily convinced the Jews, publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. 

19:8  And he [Paul] went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. I would like to have his notes or find these messages on youtube!

20:25  And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. His message was the kingdom of God and Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

24:24  And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25  And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come…
Paul was asked specifically to explain this faith in Christ. We expect to read, “Heaven is a free gift…” But no, “he reasoned of righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come.” Boy, did Paul get it wrong! His message to this seeker is NOT seeker sensitive: You need to live right, you need to control your passions, there is a judgment coming and you will stand before Jesus!! “Felix trembled.” He scared the man, but not enough…

28:23  And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening.
“He expounded and testified the kingdom” - he set forth the kingdom in an orderly way, “both out of the law of Moses, and the prophets.” In other words, he went through the Scriptures (the Old Testament) and showed what it says about the kingdom and how this is fulfilled in Jesus – “persuading them concerning Jesus.”

28:30  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31  Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Again, the kingdom of God and “teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.” I sure wish we could order the CDs!

There does appear to be a difference in how the gospel is presented. Our focus is: “heaven is a free gift” or “salvation is free.” So we preach salvation. The preaching in the book of Acts emphasizes Jesus and the kingdom of God. They so emphasized Jesus that they had to be asked, What shall we do? What must I do to be saved? Can I be baptized? Read their sermons.

What does this mean? I think I need to change the way I present the gospel. Instead of telling people all about heaven and salvation, I need to preach Jesus. He is the Christ, the Son of God, the King, the promised Savior, the one who has been raised from the dead and who is coming again, the Judge of all. Using the Gospels more to tell of his life and ministry.

Comparing the gospel preached by the apostles to the one preached today

Here are excerpts from an article I recently read on a church’s web site. A long time ago I realized that the apostles emphasized the resurrection more than we do today, but I was still moved by this article to begin going through Acts again and see how the Apostles preached and compare it to our preaching today. But first, the article . . .

<><   <><   <><   <><   <><   <><   <><

The Gospel & Grace

Have you ever wondered why the Gospels are called the Gospels? Why do we refer to the "Gospels" of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and not, say, the "biographies of Christ" or something similar? I'd like to suggest that the early church named them "Gospels," because that is exactly what they were to the early church.

I have taken three evangelism courses in my time as a Christian. All of them followed the same basic outline: heaven is a free gift; man is a sinner and cannot save himself; Jesus died for man's sin; and, we can receive the free gift of salvation by faith. I once purchased 23 Gospel tracts from a bookstore in order to outline the Gospel proclaimed in them . . . heaven is a free gift, man is a sinner and cannot save himself, Jesus died for our sins, and we receive salvation by faith were included in almost every one of them.

I purchased those 23 Gospel tracts in order to compare them to the sermons that the apostles preached to the lost in the book of Acts. I did not compare those tracts to the letters of the apostles, because all the letters are written to Christians. However, in Acts I was able to find twelve different places, of varying lengths, where an apostle preached to the lost. I wanted to know if they followed the same outline we did. I was genuinely surprised by the results. In fact, that little study shook me for years.

Let's start with Acts chapter 2, which is, of course, the first such proclamation.

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know” (v. 22).

This is one thing that, though rarely found in tracts and not at all in the evangelism courses I went through, is always found in apostolic sermons. They always tell them about the ministry of Christ in some way, shape, or form.

“Though he was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him” (v. 23).

Now if this was a modern evangelist, the next words would be obvious. This is the perfect place to explain that Christ was nailed to the cross and died for the sins of man. It is carefully not left out of our Gospel tracts, and it is the center of our evangelism classes, so surely it is something the apostle would make sure to include in his sermon. But shockingly, it is absent. He goes right on to the resurrection:

“God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it, for David says of Him: ...Moreover my flesh will rest in hope, because You will not leave my soul in Hades, or allow your Holy One to see decay” (vv. 24, 25a, 26b-27).

The resurrection is something else the apostles never forgot to mention. Of course, the resurrection is almost always included in today's Gospel, too, but it is much more of a sidelight than it was with the apostles. With the apostles, it was almost the central theme, because it proved Christ's authority. Here's how Peter went on to put it:

“God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear....Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!” (vv. 32-33, 36).

Peter has now concluded his sermon. He has forgotten everything that is important to the modern Gospel. He has not mentioned that heaven in a free gift. In fact, he has not mentioned heaven at all. He forgot to tell them that man is a sinner and cannot save himself. He even forgot the most important thing of all, that Jesus died on the cross for their sins! How can he hope for anything good to come of his sermon when he's left out absolutely everything that is crucial to the modern Gospel?

What results did Peter get? Let's look:

“When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: "Brothers, what must we do?" "Repent," Peter said to them, "and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit..." And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, "Be saved from this corrupt generation!" So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. And the devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers” (vv.37-38, 40-42).
Pretty impressive results for someone who forgot all the major points of our Gospel, isn't it? He did at least include faith in Christ, which was as central to the apostles' message as it is to ours.

Here, however, on the issue of faith in Christ, lies the crucial difference between the apostles' Gospel and our modern day gospel. Today, our version of faith in Christ, as found in our tracts and evangelism programs, is not really faith in Christ, but faith in some facts about Christ. Jesus died for our sins. This is a fact. It is true, and it is Scriptural. Faith is what will get a person to heaven. This is true. But these are just facts about Christ. Anyone can believe these things intellectually without it changing their life at all. Salvation in the modern world is as easy as passing an elementary school course. Learn a few facts, check them off as true, and you are in. In real life, it doesn't work like that. God, it turns out, is not impressed. The devil himself believes those facts, and it has not done him any good at all.

The apostles taught faith in Christ, not in facts about Christ. Therefore, they left a lot of facts out, to be explained later—even the fact that Jesus died for our sins. This is because it is not faith in Jesus' death that saves us, but faith in Jesus. Because of this, the apostles were always careful to tell the lost about Christ himself. He was from Israel, a prophet who went about doing good and delivering all who were oppressed of the devil. He was put to death. Never mind that it was for your sins, you can learn that later; they never mention to the lost that his death was for their sins. For the apostles, mentioning that Jesus died was simply a way to tell the lost that God raised Jesus from the dead, thus proving that he was the Son of God with power, the one who would judge the living and the dead. Hearing these things provoked the lost to believe in this incredibly powerful and loving person, the Son of God, who had power over death and authority with God and who could deliver them from their sins and raise them up on the last day.

But don't take my word for it. Let's go on in Acts. Let's go to chapter three . . .

“And now brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, just as your leaders also did. But what God predicted through the mouth of all the prophets—that His Messiah would suffer—He has fulfilled in this way. Therefore repent and turn back that your sins may be wiped out so that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and He may send Jesus, who has been appointed Messiah for you” (3:17-20).

Again, Peter has neglected to speak of the free gift of heaven, the sinfulness of man, and Jesus' death for sin. Instead, he has told them that Jesus is the Messiah, and if they want the benefits of this, they should repent and turn back. It is this that will wipe their sins out. This is because it is not belief in the cross or what was done on it that forgives sin; it is Christ who forgives sin, and he wants you to repent and turn to him.

But Peter's not done yet:

“Moses said, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything that He will say to you. And it will be that everyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people."...God raised up his Servant and sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways” (3:22-23,26).

Look at what Peter is telling the people. "Everyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people." "God sent Him to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways." This is not faith in his death. This is coming to Christ as to one who has been raised up from God as Lord, Messiah, and Judge of all. And that is exactly what the apostles not only preached, but it is what they were specifically commanded to preach by God.

<><   <><   <><   <><   <><   <><   <><


The article continues, but this is enough to cause us to think. I recently saw a church sign that said something like, Free Ticket To Heaven, Come Inside For Details. I wondered then, Did the apostles preach this way? After reading this article, I wonder even more. As I mentioned earlier, I am going through the Book of Acts to see just what the apostles preached. It is very exciting so far. And convicting. And I am not far off from writing about it! 

Choruses from the Book of Psalms - part 3

Wow, so many! I promise, this is the last post on this. I was so blessed singing my way through the psalter. I really hope you go through and sing the Psalms. If you don't know the songs, find someone who does and learn from them. I trust that you sing to the Lord as part of your devotional life and during the day. This is fuel for the fire of the heavenly love poured out in your heart. Amen! Most of these can be found in Scripture in Song chorus books (Songs of Praise and Songs of the Kingdom) and in the Maranatha! Praise Chorus books.

90:1 You have been a shelter Lord
To every generation, to every generation
A sanctuary from the storm
To every generation, to every generation, Lord
---------------
90:17  Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me
all His wonderful passion and purity
O thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine
Til the beauty of Jesus be seen in me
---------------
91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide neath the shadow of the Almighty. 2x
2  and I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust. 2x
---------------
92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD 2x
and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High
---------------
95:1  O come, let us sing unto the LORD:
let us make a joyful noise
2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
let us make a joyful noise unto him
3  For the LORD is a great God
and Jesus is our King
O come let us sing unto the Lord
---------------
95:6  O come, let us worship and bow down:
let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
7  For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture
and the sheep of his hand.
Just the sheep of his hand
---------------
96:11  Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein:
then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13  Before the LORD: for he cometh, he cometh to judge the earth:
he shall judge the world with righteousness, 3x
and the people with his truth.
---------------
97:9  For thou, O LORD, art high above all the earth:
thou art exalted far above all gods.

I exalt thee, I exalt thee
I exalt thee, O Lord 2x
---------------
98:1  O sing unto the LORD a new song;
for he hath done marvellous things:
his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

2  The LORD hath made known his salvation:
his righteousness has he openly showed
in the sight of the heathen.
O sing unto the Lord a new song

3  He hath remembered his mercy
and his truth toward the house of Israel:
all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
---------------
99:5  Exalt the LORD our God 2x
and worship at his footstool 2x
Holy is he 2x
---------------
100:1  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2  Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before his presence with singing.

3  Know ye that the LORD he is God:
it is he that hath made us,
and not we ourselves; we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture.

4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him,
and bless, and bless his name.

For the Lord, the Lord is good
His mercy is everlasting
And his truth his truth endureth
His truth endureth to all generations

Hallelujah, glory hallelujah…

Thank you, Jesus, thank you thank you Jesus ….
---------------
100:1  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth
make a joyful noise unto the Lord   2x

Make loud noise (really make loud noises!)
And rejoice sing praises
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord  2x
---------------
100:4 I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter his courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord hath made
I will rejoice for he hath made me glad

He hath made me glad, O he hath made me glad
I will rejoice for he hath made me glad 2x
---------------
103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

He has done great things 3x
Bless his holy name
---------------
Psa 104:33  I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live:
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34  My meditation of him shall be sweet:
I will be glad in the LORD.

1 Bless thou the Lord, O my soul
Praise ye the Lord 4x
---------------
107:2  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so 3x
I’m redeemed, I’m redeemed  Praise the Lord!
---------------
108:3-5 I will give thanks to Thee,
O Lord, among the people
I will sing praises to Thee
Among the nations.

For Thy steadfast love is great,
Is great to the heavens,
And Thy faithfulness,
Thy faithfulness to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the Heavens
Let Thy glory be over all the earth.

I will give thanks to Thee....

Be exalted O God above the heavens
Let Thy glory Let Thy Glory
Let Thy glory be over all the earth.
---------------
Psa 113: 3  From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same
the LORD'S name is to be praised.

1  Praise ye the LORD.
Praise him O ye servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
2  Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
---------------
118:24  This is the day 2x
that the LORD hath made  2x
we will rejoice  2x
and be glad in it 2x
This is the day that the Lord hath made
We will rejoice and be glad in it
O this is the day, this is the day
That the Lord hath made

(usually followed by, I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart; then by Abiding in the Vine)
---------------
118:28  Thou art my God, and I will praise thee:
thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
---------------
119:11  Thy word have I hid in my heart,
that I might not sin against thee.
That I might not sin, that I might not sin
Thy word have I hid in my heart
---------------
121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
I know we sang this and often and it may come back to but right now I can’t remember)
---------------
124:1-6
If the Lord had  not been on our side
all our enemies would have swallowed us alive
If the Lord had not been on our side
all the raging waters and the mighty flood
Would have swept over us
If the Lord, if the Lord, if the Lord had not been on our side

Blessed be the Lord
Blessed be the Lord who has not given us up
the Lord who is our help
Make of heaven and earth
---------------
134:1 Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD,
which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
(this is another one I know we sang and liked but can’t recall the tune)
---------------
139:23-24
Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.
(for all the stanzas go here)

Choruses from the Book of the Psalms – part 2

My last post was Choruses we used to sing or that I know from the Book of the Psalms. I only gave the choruses we sang from Book 1 of Psalms. Do I hear someone say, “Book 1 of Psalms? What are you talking about?” The Psalms are divided into five books and a good place to read about this is here. This post is from books 2 and 3.
It looks like a lot, doesn’t it? But as I wrote last time, we wanted to sing Scripture songs. They are short so you can easily sing several. They are usually easy to learn and sing. And best of all, you are singing the Word of God. Praise and worship music has changed a lot over the years, so a good question is, If I were in a leadership position in a church again, would I introduce these songs? Yes, I would!
And like I said last time, I encourage you to go through and sing what you know. Remember, God “inhabits the praises of His people” and “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (we know a chorus from that verse as well!).


46:10  Be still, and know that I am God 3x

I am the Lord that healeth thee 3x
---------------
47:1  Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
Clap your hands all ye people, shout unto God with a voice of praise
Hosanna, hosanna, shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Praise Him, praise Him shout unto god with a voice of praise
---------------
48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
2  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth,
is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
---------------
50:23  Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me 2x
and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
---------------
51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 2x
11  Cast me not away from thy presence, O Lord; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me
---------------
55:22  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 2x
16  As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
17  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
---------------
57:9  I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, among the people:
I will sing praises to thee among the nations.
10  For thy steadfast love is great, is great unto the heavens,
and thy faithfulness, thy faithfulness to the clouds.
11  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be over all the earth.
---------------
61:1  Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2  From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
and when my heart is overwhelmed: please lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3  For thou hast been a shelter unto me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
and when my heart is overwhelmed: please lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
---------------
63:3-4  thy lovingkindness is better than life 2x
my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee
I will lift up my hands unto thy name.

I lift my hands up, unto thy name 2x
my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee
I will lift up my hands unto thy name.
---------------
65:1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, praise waiteth for thee
praise waiteth for thee Lord, waiteth for in Sion
---------------
68:1-3  Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered 2x
O let God arise, let his enemies be scattered, let God, let God arise

let them also that hate him flee before him 3x
let them, let them depart

Let saints be glad, let the righteous rejoice 3x
let saints, let saints be glad (believe it or not, I added lines 2 and 3)
---------------
68:4  Sing unto God, sing praises to his name 2x
extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name 3x
by his name JAH
and rejoice before him, and rejoice before him, and rejoice, rejoice before him 2x
---------------
72:18  Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel 2x
who only doeth wondrous things, who only doeth wondrous things
19  And blessed be his glorious name for ever
and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen
---------------
86:10-12  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things:
thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD;
I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:
and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
---------------
89:1  I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever, I will sing, I will sing
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will sing of the mercies of the Lord
with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness, thy faithfulness
with my mouth will I make known they faithfulness to all generations.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will sing of the mercies of the Lord
---------------

Choruses we used to sing from the Book of Psalms

A friend of mine recently made a blog post about Psalm 28. Something about the post reminded me of a chorus we used to sing based on a Psalm. As I searched through the Psalms looking for that chorus, I was reminded of how many songs we used to sing from the Book of Psalms.
In 1973 I became a Christian in a hymn-singing Baptist church and I love the hymns. But when I went off to college I was introduced to the charismatic renewal and a new music tradition. We sang “Scripture Songs” – songs lifted right out of the Bible. One of my prize possessions is a song book called, Psalter: Scriptures Set To Music (1966). Early on in the charismatic renewal there was a movement of spontaneous, Spirit-inspired songs. In a worship service people would feel that God gave them a song and just start singing out. This is a collection of these songs. The church in New Zealand was impacted by the charismatic renewal. Another prized book in my collection is Scripture in Song, Volumes One and Two. This is another collection of Scripture set to music. They were collected by and many were written by Dale and David Garrett.
So, from very early in my Christian life and then throughout my ministry, we have been singing Scripture songs. I love it! I’m saddened that there has been a move away from this, but that is another matter! As I said, I went through the book of Psalms and rediscovered the songs we used to sing. I thought I would share them with you. If you know them, then sing along! If you don’t, hey, invite me to lunch and I can teach them to you :-)  Since we know so many, these are the ones from Book 1 of the Psalms


Book 1
1:3 I shall not be I shall not be moved 2x
Just like a tree that’s planted by the water
I shall not be moved  (with several other stanzas)
---------------
3:3-4 My glory and the lifter of my head 2x
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me;
My glory, and the lifter of my head.

I cried unto the LORD with my voice 3x
And he heard me out of his holy hill.

My glory and the lifter of my head 2x
But thou O Lord art a shield for me
My glory and the lifter of my head
---------------
4:7  We will rejoice in you and be glad,
we will extol your love more than wine
Drawn me unto you and let us run together
We will rejoice in you and be glad (2x)

More than when the grain and the new wine abound
You have put gladness in my heart 2x

So lift up the light of your countenance upon us O Lord 2x

We will rejoice…
---------------
From a Maranatha! Praise album
5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
2  Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
3  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
---------------
Psalm 8 O Lord, our Lord, How excellent your name is….
---------------
17:8  Keep me Jesus as the apple of thine eye,
hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
Keep thy hand upon me lest I die
Keep me Jesus as the apple of thine eye,
---------------
18:2 Praise the name of Jesus 2x
He’s my rock, He’s my fortress, He’s my deliverer, in him will I trust
Praise the name of Jesus
---------------
18:3  I will call upon the LORD,
who is worthy to be praised:
so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
46  The LORD liveth; and blessed be the rock;
and may the God of my salvation be exalted. 2x
---------------
18:29 I Can Run Through a Troop
And leap over a wall Hallelujah, hallelujah!
He's my strength and my shield He gives power to all Hallelujah, hallelujah!
I am free from condemnation Jesus is the Rock of my salvation.
I can run through a troop And leap over a wall Hallelujah, hallelujah!
(I knew it but we never sang it listening to this makes you want to jump and shout!)
---------------
19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11  Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
and in keeping of them there is great reward.
10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
---------------
19:14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
---------------
23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life 2x
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
I shall feast at the table set for me
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
---------------
24:7  Lift up your heads, O ye gates 3x
and the King of glory shall come in.

8  Who is this King, this King of glory? 3x
10 The Lord of hosts is his name

8 The LORD strong and mighty, mighty in battle. 3x
10 The Lord of hosts is his name
---------------
25:1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. 2x
2  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed,
let not mine enemies triumph over me.

3  Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed 2x
2  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed,
let not mine enemies triumph over me.

4  Shew me thy ways, thy ways O LORD
teach me thy paths, thy paths, O Lord
2  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed,
let not mine enemies triumph over me.

7  Remember not the sins of my youth 2x
2  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed,
let not mine enemies triumph over me.
---------------
27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation, the Lord is the strength of my life 2x
so I will not be afraid, no I will not be afraid
because the Lord is my light, the Lord is my light, the Lord is my light
5 In the day of trouble he will hide me, He will keep me safe he will guide me through.
In the darkest hour he will keep me, evil has no power when he shelters me.
---------------
29:1 Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty,
give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due his name
worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
---------------
30:5  Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning 2x
Hallelujah for the dawn. Hallelujah for the day.
Weeping may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning
---------------
32:7 You are my hiding place (Hosanna Music)
---------------
34:1  I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2  My soul shall make its’ boast in Jesus: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
---------------
34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that puts his trust in him. (a Maranatha! Song)
---------------
37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:
and he delighteth in his way.
24  Though he fall, though he fall, he shall not be cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
With his hand, with his hand, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand
Though he fall though he fall he shall not be cast down
For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand
---------------
40:1-3 I waited for the Lord on high
I waited and He heard my cry

He pulled me out of my despair
He taught me how to walk
From fear into security
From quicksand into the Rock

I sing to let the people know
That I have been restored
And they will kneel and understand
To return and trust in the Lord

There's a new song
In my heart to sing
A new song
Praises for my King

Amen!

Why I like to kayak and canoe

Several years ago now I was blessed with the gift of a canoe. Then the next year I was surprised with the gift of a kayak. While I enjoy them both, I probably use the kayak more than the canoe.

I have often reflected on why I like to kayak and canoe. I thought the canoe would be a fun thing to have for my grandchildren. We could spend time together and I could teach them to canoe and enjoy the water. I have taken Tiernan out several times and take the Meesters out when we go to the beach. In fact, the first year I took it down to the beach I found this pond or canal, a body of water between streets (we go to Edisto Island, SC). It looked real quiet and easily accessible, so we all piled in the canoe and had a blast! The very next day a fence was begun to block the pond. I guess they didn’t like the idea of people having fun in their pond!

I like kayaking because it is quiet and peaceful. I was excited when I discovered the river. And the lake is best when I get into the creek areas, areas where nobody goes, especially the boats. The river is awesome for this reason. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river… Just sitting by a river has the same affect. It is similar to going hiking in the woods. But the river has a soothing effect that the woods do not – unless you come upon a creek!

Related to this is the relationship between the kayak/canoe with the water. “Canoes, too, are unobtrusive; they don't storm the natural world or ride over it, but drift in upon it as part of its own silence.” I like that. No motor and very little noise.

Another reason is getting away and being alone. The same man, someone named John Graves, also said, “The river's aloneness was on me and I liked it.” Now I hasten to add that while I like going out by myself, I am excited that Mary now has a kayak and we can go together. Even though there are two of us, there is still the aloneness of the river. Dave and I always have a great time when we go out. I've taken Anne and Mary k out in the canoe. It is the getting away that is great.

I like to get out on the river because then it is just me, creation, and the Creator. It is a wonderful time to bask in the beauty of creation, feel the natural rhythm of the water and the wild. My spirit soars to the Creator and is filled with praise and wonder at His power. And early on I realized that part of trusting God in every thing was casting the care and outcome of my trips on Him. As I set out toward the water I’m trusting the Lord to help me enjoy Him and get back.

Another reason, and a strong one for me, is when I’m out on the water it is just me and the water. If I’m gonna make it, I have to do it. If I get stuck, I have to figure out how to get unstuck. I like that. One of the first times I was out by myself, I got stuck on some rocks. There was a small moment of slight panic, “Who is going to help me get unstuck?” I quickly realized no one was coming. No one was available. I had to get myself unstuck. And I did. I think this builds strength of character.

A friend of mine once asked me if I could take him and his wife down the river in my canoe. They had never paddled before but he was interested. He asked me, “If you take me down once will I be able to take her down by myself after that?” I replied, “You probably want to develop some paddling skills first. And keep this in mind, when you set off down the river, it is just you. There will be no one ‘passing by’ to help.” What a personal challenge that is! Do you feel it? I do.

One time Mary and I decided to canoe down a portion of the Broad River. You start in North Carolina and paddle down to the Gaffney (SC) area. We found a takeout spot and parked one car and drove up to the put in. It was beautiful! It was on this trip that I learned to paddle away from a dam, not toward it. The river turned into a lake and a lot of work. We reached the dam and had to portage around it. That canoe got heavy as we went up the hill and through the woods. But we made it and put back in at the “shoals.” This was also the trip I learned what shoals were, because on the other side of the dam were the Gaston Shoals. They are rocky areas too shallow to paddle! So we carried the canoe some more. Then it was smooth paddling down to the take out spot. Well, the river was flowing and the take out spot I had chosen was the confluence of Bowen Creek and Broad River. And both were full and surging! Try as we might, we were not able to paddle against the current to the take out spot. What do we do? There is no one coming to give us help or advice – it’s just me, Mary, the canoe and the surging river. Well, I did the only thing I could think of, I got out, steadied myself against the current, and literally hauled that canoe up river to a spot I could drag it on to the bank. Carrying the canoe, then fighting the current to lug it on to the bank wore me slap out. But it was great!

There is a beauty and peace, fulfillment and communion with the Creator that comes with kayaking. This is hard to put into words, but when you are on the river it is tangible. The same is true of paddling the marshes of Edisto Island. I cannot tell you how awesome it is. And the time I paddled up the Edisto River and just when I was ready to turn around I saw dolphins. I was so close I could hear them blowing!! I tried to get closer and they disappeared. So, strange as it may sound, I asked them to forgive me for trying to get too close and told them it would be ok to reappear. I turned around and headed back. Then, there they were again! Awesome!

That’s why I like to kayak and canoe.

Rivers hardly ever run in a straight line.
Rivers are willing to take ten thousand meanders
and enjoy every one
and grow from every one.
When they leave a meander,
they are always more
than when they entered it.
When rivers meet an obstacle,
they do not try to run over it.
They merely go around
but they always get to the other side.
Rivers accept things as they are,
conform to the shape they find the world in,
yet nothing changes things more than rivers.
Rivers move even mountains into the sea.
Rivers hardly ever are in a hurry
yet is there anything more likely
to reach the point it sets out for
than a river?
James Dillet Freeman

What does a Christian look like?

I was searching my computer for something I thought I had started working on and came across a handout I had prepared a few years ago for a teaching on Christian Virtues. My reading of the Church Fathers had a tremendous impact on my teaching and preaching causing me to be much more practical. I began to teach on and emphasize Christian Virtues. This handout was from Romans 12 and I provided a literal translation of verses 9-21. For this post, I backed up to verse 5 because even though the subject matter changes, his style is very similar. This is pretty much how it looks in Greek. You can see how terse the language is:

5 so the many one body are in Christ, and each one members of one another
6 having then different gifts according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy according to the proportion of faith
7 or ministry, in the ministering; or the teaching, in the teaching
8 or he who is exhorting, in the exhorting; he who shares in simplicity, he who leads in diligence, he who shows mercy in cheerfulness

(I know that verses 1-4 are powerful and I don’t mean to overlook them, I’m starting at verse 5 because the style is similar to verses 9-21.) There is only one body of Christ. We being many are one body in Christ – the many make one. Being many we have different gifts and these gifts are ours based on the grace given to us. We are all one body, so no one is better than another; yet we are all different and have received different grace and gifts for the benefit of the whole. He mentions seven spiritual gifts (a quick comparison to 1 Corinthians 12 reveals that this is not an exhaustive list). This is an interesting section, there is no verb, so we have to supply the action: “If your gift is prophecy, [then prophesy] according to the proportion of faith” and so on with all the gifts. It seems that his emphasis is, If you have a gift, then exercise it!

In 9-21 he mentions several virtues that Christians are to have and this is the section I wanted to emphasize. Again, this is terse and concise. They already know about all these virtues so he simply states how they should live them. I have kept the articles (the love, the evil etc) to highlight his emphasis. We have to supply words or phrases to make a full thought in English (Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good etc.) but I like the energy of the literal translation:

9 the love, sincere
the evil, abhorring
in the good, cleaving to
10 in the love of brethren, loving one another
in the honor, preferring one another
11 in the earnestness, not lazy
in the spirit, fervent
in the Lord, serving
12 in the hope, rejoicing
in the tribulation, enduring
in the prayer, persevering
13 in the needs of the saints, participating
the hospitality pursuing
14 bless those persecuting you
bless, and curse not
15 rejoice with those who rejoice
and weep with those who weep
16 have the same mind to one another
not minding the high
but associating with the low
don’t be wise by yourselves 
17 to no one evil for evil giving
think to do good before all men
18 if possible, from yourselves, with all men be at peace
19 not avenging yourselves, beloved
21 do not be overcome by the evil
but overcome by the good, the evil

What a great passage! First, notice how rich the spiritual life of these early believers was. Paul offers no explanation of a spiritual gift or virtue. He expects that they know about prophecy and hospitality, either by previous instruction or more likely by experience. Second, how practical. After discussing great matters of doctrine – sin, justification, sanctification, Israel and the Gospel etc – he gets down to how to live the Christian life. What a rich life he lays out for the believer. This is the normal Christian life! And this is just chapter 12. Chapters 13, 14, and 15 are just as rich. We like to emphasize and dwell on doctrine (You need to believe the right way concerning justification and sanctification et al) and experience (Have you believed? Have you yielded? And the Holy Spirit!), but this is very important as well. What will my life look like if I have been justified by faith in Christ? If I have yielded my members as servants to righteousness? If I am walking in the Spirit? Well, a lot like chapter 12!

This is exciting. Practical. Convicting. I can lay this out and compare my life to it: Is this me? Wow! Is this me?? What do I do if it is not? I better fix it, because this is what a Christian looks like!

Apostolic Tradition or Why I don’t believe in Sola Scriptura

Sola Scriptura. This is one of the pillars of the Reformation and of the Protestant movement that grew out of it. Sadly, I suspect the average Christian knows very little about the Reformation, much less this phrase. Sola Scriptura means Scripture Alone. This the cornerstone of the Protestant Church: The Scriptures are the only authority for doctrine and practice. The Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches maintain that our authority is Scripture AND tradition.

I never attended a church that used the phrase or made an issue of it. I learned about it in Bible College and subsequent reading, and it wasn’t even a part of my ordination exam. I suppose it was just assumed. And I don’t know that I fully understand it in its’ original context. But, I have come to the place where I believe in a modified version of Scripture and tradition. And by tradition I mean Apostolic Tradition. Let me explain.

I believe the Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments, are the Word of God. But I also believe that Jesus gave to the Apostles and the Apostles then gave to the churches a body of teaching which are the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. These teachings are described in the Bible as “the faith.” This is the Apostolic Tradition. Consider:

† The Apostles make references to teaching and commands that were never written down (1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:5), even using the very word “tradition.”
† the Gospel was preached and churches planted with full “operating instructions” without the New Testament. There was obviously a body of teaching on what to believe and how to live as well as instruction on how to read the Old Testament.
† There is no apostolic document outlining the faith. All the epistles were written in response to a problem, except Romans, which was written to introduce Paul and his gospel to the church in Rome. Yet the epistles make references to “the faith” which is to be held, taught, defended etc.

Then there are the Ante-Nicene fathers. They maintained that the apostles handed over a body of teaching which their writings (epistles) supported. Origen said, “Now it ought to be known that the holy apostles, in preaching the faith of Christ, delivered themselves with the utmost clearness on certain points which they believed to be necessary…” Tertullian describes their doctrine as “that which the churches received from the apostles, the apostles from Christ, Christ from God.” And, “this doctrine of ours, of which we have now given the rule, has its origin in the tradition of the apostles.” Clement says that the apostles also gave instructions on how to replace the bishops installed by the apostles. They had the voices of the apostles ringing in their ears! And they said the apostles handed over a body of teaching to be held, kept and preached. The Ante-Nicene fathers refer to this body of teaching as “the rule of faith.” And the testimony is unanimous, The Apostles gave it and all the churches believe this.

I believe this Rule of Faith is the Apostolic Tradition. I believe this is our template for reading and understanding Scripture. They go hand in hand, side by side. We actually start with the Rule of Faith: “This is what we believe and the Scriptures support it.” We don’t have to start from scratch, we have The Faith. And, all of our interpretation of the Scriptures must conform to this rule of faith.

What is the difference between what I am saying and the Catholic and Orthodox position? They believe the Church can continue to add to the tradition. This is why their tradition has grown or increased. As opposed to this, I believe in the Apostolic Tradition, the Faith handed down by them. This does not grow and increase. We hold, keep, defend what they gave us.

Do we preach the Rule of Faith or the Scriptures? Yes! There is no contradiction. We should be teaching the rule of faith and of course these truths are found in Scripture.

So, I believe in Scripture and Apostolic Tradition.


The Rule of Faith:
"Now, with regard to this rule of faith-that we may from this point acknowledge what it is which we defend-it is, you must know, that which prescribes the belief that there is one only God, and that He is none other than the Creator of the world, who produced all things out of nothing through His own Word, first of all sent forth; that this Word is called His Son, and, under the name of God, was seen "in diverse manners" by the patriarchs, heard at all times in the prophets, at last brought down by the Spirit and Power of the Father into the Virgin Mary, was made flesh in her womb, and, being born of her, went forth as Jesus Christ; thenceforth He preached the new law and the new promise of the kingdom of heaven, worked miracles; having been crucified, He rose again the third day; (then) having ascended into the heavens, He sat at the right hand of the Father; sent instead of Himself the Power of the Holy Ghost to lead such as believe; will come with glory to take the saints to the enjoyment of everlasting life and of the heavenly promises, and to condemn the wicked to everlasting fire, after the resurrection of both these classes shall have happened, together with the restoration of their flesh. This rule, as it will be proved, was taught by Christ, and raises amongst ourselves no other questions than those which heresies introduce, and which make men heretics."  Tertullian


“The Church, though dispersed through our the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and their disciples this faith:
[She believes] in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them.
And in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation
And in the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed through the prophets the dispensations of God, and the advents, and the birth from a virgin, and the passion, and the resurrection from the dead, and the ascension into heaven in the flesh of the beloved Christ Jesus, our Lord.
And His manifestation from heaven in the glory of the Father "to gather all things in one," and to raise up anew all flesh of the whole human race, in order that to Christ Jesus, our Lord, and God, and Saviour, and King, according to the will of the invisible Father, "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess" to Him, and that He should execute just judgment towards all.
That He may send "spiritual wickednesses," and the angels who transgressed and became apostates, together with the ungodly, and unrighteous, and wicked, and profane among men, into everlasting fire; but may, in the exercise of His grace, confer immortality on the righteous, and holy, and those who have kept His commandments, and have persevered in His love, some from the beginning, and others from their repentance, and may surround them with everlasting glory.”    Irenaeus

Amen!

On being spiritual

What does it mean to be spiritual? I’ve been thinking about this for some time.

Aware of the spiritual dimension
A spiritual person is aware of another dimension to life and the world around us. By this I refer to forces, powers, principles, as well as beings. Yes, beings. Angels. Demons. Satan. God. Life itself is spiritual in essence and there is life after death. Sadly, Western Civilization has a non-spiritual outlook and mind-set. Everything from life itself to love is considered a purely physical thing: simply an arrangement of cells and molecules, genes and hormones. Non western cultures are often very spiritual – fully aware of this dimension. Often to the point of superstition and bondage. And interestingly, western culture uniformly refers to them as “primitive.”

One culture that I have read the most about is the American Indian. They were very spiritual in their outlook. They were keenly aware of the Great Spirit or Great Mystery and His interaction with the world. They were aware of the spiritual connectedness of life. For example, they didn’t just go out and kill a deer for supper – they prepared for this. They often fasted the night before the hunt and asked the deer to sacrifice himself so the tribe could live. And upon killing a deer they gave thanks. This outlook permeated their culture. Whatever we think about this, this is spiritual. They would often go on a vision quest for direction and dreams were considered significant (and appear to have often been prophetical).

I am aware that there was not a monolithic Indian culture or even set of beliefs, but having read from early sources about Indians in regions all over America, I believe I am safe in saying that they were a spiritual people. Western man, on the other hand, is generally profane, nothing is sacred and this is at least in part because we are not a spiritual people.

Interacting with and seeking to control this spiritual dimension
Once people become aware of the spiritual dimension they often seek to interact with it. This is the danger area and often results in superstition and bondage. Spiritism, witchcraft, occult are the most obvious means of seeking to interact with the spiritual realm. And without a guide, it is very easy to be deceived. And just who would that guide be, who can steer us safely through this realm? Jesus, of course. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. And He has given us His Word and His Spirit so that we might be a truly spiritual people.

The Spiritual Christian
Now, the Bible is not some sort of spiritism guide. But it does speak openly about angels and demons; the devil; knowing God, walking with God, prayer, being led by the Spirit, miracles, life after death etc. After all, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The Christian is fundamentally a spiritual person: he believes in Someone he cannot see; he looks not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; he walks by faith, not by sight; and he worships God in spirit. The entire outlook and mindset of the Christian is spiritual. And this immediately puts us at odds with western culture.

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4 helps us understand this matter of being spiritual:

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.  

The apostle declares there are two basic types of people: natural and spiritual. What is the difference between the two? Jude answers this: These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. The King James translators loved variety, but the words natural and sensual are translations of the same Greek word  - perhaps they were indicating that the natural man is a sensual man. Anyway, the natural man is the one who does not have the Holy Spirit. When a person is born again they are given a new heart and a new Spirit (Ezek 11:19). So, the first step to a healthy spirituality is for God to give you a new heart and His Spirit. [I realize that I appear to be contradicting Paul by saying there are non-Christian people who are spiritual while Paul says they are natural and not spiritual. All I am saying is there are people who are aware of and seek to interact with the spiritual realm and are spiritual in that sense. Paul is saying, and I agree completely (isn’t that big of me!), that even though they are aware of this realm they are still natural in that they do not have the Holy Spirit. This is the true and safe spiritual.]

But the apostle Paul tells us that this matter of being spiritual is not instantaneous:
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it…

Isn’t this interesting? The Corinthians had believed in Jesus; been baptized in water and with the Holy Spirit; they had every spiritual gift in the Book, yet they were not spiritual! It would appear that true and healthy spirituality comes through spiritual growth, which comes by time, knowledge of the Word, and experience (Heb 5:11-14).

Paul then says something rather shocking
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Corinthians should have grown up by now, but had not. They began their Christian life as we all do, as babes. As such they were carnal, but this was not blameworthy - they didn’t know any better. But now, ye are yet carnal. This was blameworthy. They should have been spiritual by now and they were not. And what are the marks of the Christian who is yet carnal? Envy, strife, division.

Adam Clarke, one of my favorite commentators, said of this passage:
“There are three things here worthy of note: these people were wrong in thought, word, and deed. Envying refers to the state of their souls; they had inward grudgings and
disaffection towards each other. Strife or contention, refers to their words; they were continually disputing and contending whose party was the best, each endeavoring to prove that he and his party were alone in the right. Divisions, refers to their conduct; as they could not agree, they contended till they separated from each other, and thus rent the Church of Christ. Thus the envying and grudging led to strife and evil speaking, and this led to divisions and fixed parties. In this state well might the apostle say, Are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Ye act just as the people of the world...
It was well known that both Paul and Apollos held the same creed; between them there was not the slightest difference: when, therefore, the dissentients began to prefer the one to the other, it was the fullest proof of their carnality; because in the doctrines of these apostles there was no difference: so that what the people were captivated by must be something in their outward manner, Apollos being probably more eloquent than Paul. Their preferring one to another on such an account proved that they were carnal-led by their senses and mere outward appearances, without being under the guidance either of reason or grace. There are thousands of such people in the Christian Church to the present day.”  Wow! But to try to get back to my main point…

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  

I know this is a difficult verse, but at the very least it tells us that the spiritual man sees behind the scenes; he sees into the heart of both a person and a matter; he discerns and sees things in the Spirit. 2 Kings 6:13-17 is a good illustration of this. The king of Syria had sent a great host in an attempt to capture the prophet Elisha. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. Amen!

I’m not talking about mysticism. I’m saying that there are many in the Church who are yet carnal and act like the Corinthians. There is another large group who have reduced the Christian life to an intellectual pursuit, who think all we need is to cram the head with the proper facts. No, we are to be, we need to be intensely, vibrantly spiritual. May the Lord open our eyes that we may see the spiritual dimension. I need to ask myself, Am I aware of the spiritual dimension? Have my eyes been opened to see? Am I yet carnal, merely intellectual, or truly spiritual?