Hear O Israel!

                                     Israel

 

There is perhaps no country or people group that has suffered more controversy, conflicts, and persecution than Israel and the Jews.  If you were to ask why this is you would receive a wide variety of answers.  On the surface many of them make a great deal of sense, but when you analyze them in light of scripture are nothing more than a smoke screen.  The key to understanding anything regarding Israel is to realize that the primary issue is spiritual, not political or racial. 

 

Unfortunately, a lot of prominent popular people both in the secular world and within Christianity have an incorrect view about Israel.  It is the last group I’m addressing first.  There are several fundamental questions we need to ask in regards to Israel:

 

1.     When God makes a covenant/promise does he keep it?

2.     Who is the Promise made to?

3.     What is the “legal” language in the promise?

4.     Is it literal, spiritual, metaphorical…?

5.     Is it temporary or permanent, Is it transferable or not?

6.     When we see a promise that is repeated but with other details how do we make sense of it?

7.     Is it a different promise/renegotiation, or is it the same promise?

 

The problem we run into is “replacement theology.” Replacement theology says church has replaced Israel and Israel no longer is the recipient of God’s promises to them but the church is.  The church and does have a role to play in regards to Israel and God’s promises and plans for Israel, but it is NOT as a replacement inheritor of the promises God gave to Israel.

 

Whether or not God retains his piece of the covenant/promises to Israel has a direct co-relation and implication for us. If God has broken his end of his promises to Israel, event though he said “forever” What possible assurance do we have he won’t do the same with his promises to us?  

The issue with Israel is not Human rights, Political, Racial, or any other worldly label you might put on it, The problem at it's core is a spiritual one, God has chosen to use Israel reveal himself, his purposes, power and His ways. Satan's fighting to distort and destroy what God is doing and those God's using.

The Spiritual Battle, or as some might say racial feud, Between the world, specifically and especially Middle Eastern peoples and Israel, can be found, traced, and understood through scripture. Starting clear back in Genesis. It starts with Abraham and Lot, to be precise Abraham's sons and Lot's daughters. Although many of the people groups find their family roots in one of Noah's 3 sons.

 You see the problem is not so much Israel as a people group or physical race that is the issue, it's what, or rather Who is represented through them. 

One of the most effective historicals lies the Devil's been able to propigate is the idea of an "Occupied Palastine." there are several reasons this lie is so effective, One is Israel's lack of Obedience to remove the people groups occupying the land, as well as to not intermarry with them as God commanded. Another part is found in the period of Roman occupation and rule, Because Israel did not cooperate with, or respect Roman rule, terms that reffered to "Palastine', were used as insultry, or demeaning remarks.


    Every problem known to man is at its foundation a Spiritual one. No matter how many layers(reasons) we see or add to the issues around us. yet we do our best to filter it through many layers in an attempt to justify or validate our own way of doing or seeing things. One of the fundamental problems is the Denial of God, More exactly his sovereignty. He's perfect and complete both in his power and authority.

So while the reasons I stated in the first paragraph do have ligitimacy, it is only to the extent of a correct understanding and interpretation of Scripture. They are secondary layers to the primary and common problem. To treat them as seperate entities for their own assumed worth is absolutely ludicrous, and irrational.

There is truly a double standard when it comes to Israel, driven by over-emphasized secondary Humanistically defined moral/ethical issues. While obscuring or ignoring the most fundamental truth of the problem.Which gets buried in the mire of forked tounged chatter.

So the question we have to ask is "What is the solution to end the hostilities between Israel and her neighbors?"

Well, there are two ways to answer that.
because while the question(s) are identical. the way we approach them and perspectives on them are not. The truth is humankind in and of themselves is not capable of a true and lasting peace. Because our hearts are naturally hostile, and selfish. True peace is only accomplished by the mutual(same) inward conditions of hearts that are submitted to The authority of Christ, Who is the Prince Of Peace.

Anything other than that only creates a temporal external facade that's "peace-like." But, it is not it's just a lull in outward aggression, which does not nessacarily, reflect the inward reality. Who you really are ultimately on the inside, will be evident by outward behavior. Maybe not initially but always in eventuality.

When there is inconsistency between the two, inward and outward, we are at the very least liars or hypocrites. We need to understand that there are some people who will intentionally try to mislead us. In Islam they believe it is justifiable to lie to those who do not claim belief in the same god they do. Especially if they're "extremist." Granted, it takes a lot of discernment to figure out which "Muslims" truly want true peace between them and Israel.

Those "Muslims" who are inciting and participating in violence are classic liars and hypocrites. It is absolutely ludicrous and illogical to use civilians as shields and call it "genocide" by Israel. It is those who are using the civilians as shields who are guilty of genocide. Israel is perhaps the most pacifist nation in the world, as well as the most humane in terms of pre-military offensive strike action. No other nation or people group the Middle East would have done the things Israel has done and is doing for civilians who are technically enemies. Yet we always seem to find a way to make Israel the problem and blame bearer. It's absolutely irrational to do so. Yet, I suppose for those who don't want to be "reasoned" with it doesn't have to make sense or be logical to anyone but them.

But, for those of us who choose to live in a fully informed reality, we don't have the luxury of being deliberately ignorant to "the other side of the issue." Truth, to an extent is rarely found in either extreme end of a perspective or issue. It's usually found in between. The exception I make is the scriptures. Because God is completely truthful. And God is clear about Israel in scripture. They are chosen, in the right, and God is still using them to bring about the perfect fullness of his plan to redeem people to himself.

God's Not Dead pt7

i'm overdue again, i'm so sorry. I have been busy and not done what I had intended with blogging in this. That said, I've got so much I want to write about, and I may not get to it all. So I apologize in advance.

I honestly find myself wondering at times how many people that claim to be "Christian" are really aware of Spiritual things I think they should be. Granted, this does not apply to everbody, but the church as a whole. It is also true I'm verry passionate about Spiritual topics, because I care deeply.

The body is not as a whole being adaquately taught and fed, and Is divided and dying out in many places. It's sick, and it seems like most don't even know it. I realize the inflamatory nature of that comment, and I'm aware there are many who do not and will not agree with me.

I've been a part of many small groups and the majority of my experience is that when I express something Spiritual that seems like a "no duh..." many time I get a "wow." Or a puzzled thoughtful look. I'll be honest That expression especially from a leader who I felt should have known or understood what I said bothers me.

It could be partly my hyperactive brain, which does process differently than most, but over the years I've come to see it's more than just that. The culture of the world has slowly taken over in the church.

How much time does the pastor/teacher actually spend in scripture through a sermon instead of stories and analogies?

When's the last time a teacher or pastor taught out of scripture on something hard or maybe even majorly controversial?

How different do our churches look from what we see in Acts 2, and other places?

When we see something going on in the church body that does not match scripture then something is wrong. especially if we do not address and thoughtfully carefully correct it. whatever it may be. The problem is we settle for "good enough." we have an excuse for everything. a lot of Spiritual responsibility Given by God to parents is not being done by the parents but by the church. we say "I'm not qualified," or something similar Pardon ME???

The very fact God calls us to do something means we are qualified, He gave us the responsibility, therefore, through His Spirit He enables us to do what He's called us to do. I'm not anti-pedigree, But I believe that we have a tendency to Get in each-others way. God's given all of us unique abilities and desires. The problem is boxes, hoops and speed bumps. There's a limited amount of ligitimacy to "Thouroughly equipped" Equipping is no good if you never leave the classroom. There's a balance between equipping and field work. Okay, enough for now . If you actually read this I'll give several topics I want to write about the one/2 that have the most comments I will tackle next.

1.The cultural church
2.A Biblical Model of Church
3.Children, teens and young adults- who's primarily responsible to teach and train them/ and where the church fits into that
4. No man's land- God's purpose/call to/for young single men/women within the church body
5. transitioning from Bible baby food to Biblical buffet
6.Learn to love the word- Being a berean (a disapearing trait)

God's Not Dead pt 6- Way Overdue

Okay, I am way overdue  on writing a new blog, sorry for that.

Before I launch in, let me point out that it does not take a thological genius to present a logical case for God from scripture, The problem is I can present all the clear evidence there is, but it'a a heart issue at heart. now that I've made my foundational points in the last 5 blogs , The next set will be presenting the case that God's not dead.  Again I make no claim of complete understanding, I will give my opinion on a lot of things,  I hope we all understand it's not a "I'm right you're wrong" approach.There's going to be scripture, and a lot of it, so having a bible handy would be a good Idea. I'll qoute, but I'll also make references. I'm using ESV [if you want to know]

“ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.' For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,  slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,  foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” Romans 1:16-32

If you want to make yourself even more uncomfortable instead of them/we use personal pronouns me/I. Starting where I made the text red to the paragraph break. makes your skin crawl doesn't it?

The reason I put this passage first and not some other passage is it points very clearly to the heart of the issue, God's not dead, we just don't want to aknowledge Him.  God's not dead, but without HIm WE ARE.Since Genesis 3 untill god revives our spiritual deadness we have one desire and that is to suplant/subjugate God. We want to be the one in charge. Now for the part I like, let's take this passage apart further and go phrase by phrase.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

two things here, let me give a very simple definition of "unrighteousness"  Righteousness is living in obedience to The standards/rules God has expressed and set in place. Un-righteousness is the opposite.

-Suppress the truth: means to hide or ignore [the truth-see Righteousness- our lack of it due to sin] an intent to lead/convince others of the reality of "another [false] truth" outside of What God has expressed.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.

There's a part of me that is going "Do I really need to explains this piece?" selective hearing isn't our only problem, We are selective visualizers/interpreters as well. If God is somehow inconvenient for us then we ignore him in that area. But this clearly points out if we're really looking for evidence of God we don't have to look very hard or very far.

Here are some more verses that might help us

" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it….14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:1-3&14

 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." Genesis 1:1-2

 

"You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart."