Bumper Sticker Hypocrisy

I am continually in a state of shock at the rudeness of some drivers. It seems that people think that the very laws of nature change when they get behind the wheel. They seem to think that the universe suddenly begins to revolve around them when they’re on the highway. With some people you just naturally expect them to be rude. With others, it comes as a complete surprise. This second group I call “bumper sticker” hypocrites.

Have you ever noticed all the bumper stickers with inscriptions such as “My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter”, “Got Jesus?”, or my favorite “In Case of Rapture This Car Will Be Empty”? Have you also noticed some of the different window decals and tailgate ornaments that depict a fish, or a fish swallowing the “Darwin” fish with legs, or the picture of a little boy (the same little boy that you usually see on pickup windows relieving himself upon a Ford, Chevy or Dodge logo) kneeling before a cross? Have you ever been cut off by a rude driver, and when his minivan slows down in front of you, you can read his “What Would Jesus Do?” bumper sticker? Ever been “flipped off” by a woman with a fish on her bumper? Have you ever been driving the speed limit and watched a car pass you like you’re standing still and then driven a little further and read his “Got Jesus?” bumper sticker while the Highway Patrol has him pulled over?

How about this one? One time I was in line at a convenience store and the man in front of me was buying several cases of beer. He left and then I bought my cup of coffee and as I was leaving the store, I saw the same man stocking the ice chest in the back of his pickup with beer. Can you guess what his bumper sticker read? “In Case of Rapture This Car Will Be Empty”! Of course, there will be no “rapture,” but even still if I was to see his truck moving erratically down the road I would not think that the rapture had come and that his truck was driverless, but rather I would think that he had been drinking the beer from his ice chest.

So what does all this mean? What’s the big deal here? I find it interesting that people feel the need to advertise their “spirituality” by displaying these types of religious symbols and phrases on their cars. Isn’t ironic how some people profess by the bumper sticker that they are “spiritual,” yet drive like the devil? I am reminded of Jesus’ scathing remarks about the hypocrites for their similar displays of “spirituality.” In Matthew 6:5 and 6:16, Jesus condemns such displays of outward “spirituality” in the avenues of public prayers and fasting. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men… Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Jesus was not condemning the act of praying or fasting, but the hypocritical attitude possessed by those who want to appear spiritual. The motive behind spiritual things must always be to the glorification of God, not the glorification of self.

So why do so many people have these types of stickers and ornaments on their cars? Is it because they are truly spiritual or because they want to appear to be so out of another motive? Of course, not everyone who puts these things on their car is insincere. Nevertheless, would they not do better to show their spirituality in other ways? If we are to truly be spiritual and glorify our Father in Heaven then we ought to show it by our actions and not simply by putting on a sticker. If we let our light shine through our chaste and pure lives, showing our devotion to God in obedience to His will, then truly He will be glorified and we will be justified.

Why Do You Believe That Jesus Is The Son Of God?

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why you believe Jesus to be the Son of God and Savior of mankind? Is your belief based on anything concrete or is it merely a belief that has been passed down to you from your parents that you have simply come to accept without ever questioning why? Do you have a faith in Jesus that is a personally held faith? Or, is your faith an “inherited” faith – one that is borrowed from someone else?

These are tough questions that we each need to ask ourselves, because there will come a time when our faith will be tested and if our faith is not our own then it will fail the test. All too often, a young person has grown up “in the church” never having developed their own personal, evidence based, faith in Christ only to have their faith destroyed the first time they set foot in a college classroom. Sadly, this very thing has happened to many a young Christian in our day.

So my challenge to you is this: Take out a pen and paper or word processing software on your computer and write a brief essay “Why I Believe Jesus Is the Messiah.” Print it out, keep it in your Bible, and every time you run across any scripture that supports or strengthens your faith write down the citation on the bottom of your paper – or incorporate it into your essay. This will be a very challenging and thought-provoking exercise that will cause you to really examine yourself and what you believe. I believe that the end result of such a study will help you to develop a faith strong enough meet any test of faith head on. With this thought in mind, here is my essay:

Jesus is the Son of God

The reasons I believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God are numerous. It begins with a belief in the reliability of the Bible, especially the New Testament. The Bible has been tested and tried by skeptics for centuries and no one has ever successfully argued against its accuracy and reliability. It is, without question, the Word of God! So, without going into great detail about the evidence for the Bible’s inspiration, I will examine my faith in Jesus from the scriptures based on three major points: Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the fulfillment of His own prophecies concerning His death, burial and resurrection and the resurrection itself, including the eye-witness accounts of it recorded in scripture.

OT Prophecy Fulfilled

There are approximately 300 Messianic prophecies fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth – far too many to be examined here! Let’s begin with the prophecies connected with His birth. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This prophecy is shown to be fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-35. Lk.1:26-27 says, “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.” Also in Luke’s account the angel appeared to the virgin Mary and told her of her child, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest...” (Lk. 1:31-32) That it was to be a virgin birth is clearly seen in Lk.1:34-35, “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”

Isaiah’s prophecy was intimately connected with God’s promise to Satan made in Genesis 3:15 the “seed” of Eve would destroy his power, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” The seed of woman, not man, would triumph over sin and death. Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law...” Another prophecy concerning His birth is connected with the place of His birth – Bethlehem. Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Lk. 2:4-5 records that Joseph took Mary with him to Bethlehem and that it was there she gave birth to Jesus.

Other Messianic prophecies fulfilled in the person of Christ are connected with His death. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 both describe the crucifixion scene in great detail. Read these two chapters and compare with the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus found in Mat. 27:1-54, Mark 15:1-40, Lk. 23:1-47 and John 19:1-37. Notice Jn. 19:33, 36 “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs... For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken...” – referencing Psa. 34:20. Also, compare Mat. 27:35, “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” referencing Psa. 22:18. These prophecies and many more like them prove Jesus to be the Messiah.

Jesus’ Own Prophecies Fulfilled

Jesus made several prophecies pointing to His death, burial and resurrection that later came to pass exactly as He had predicted. Notice Mat.16:21, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Also, note Mat. 12:40, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Compare these prophecies to what is recorded later in the Gospel accounts. Jesus went to Jerusalem was persecuted by the “elders and chief priests.” He also suffered “many things” such as His beatings and tortures at the hands of the Roman soldiers. He was “killed” by the Roman soldiers when they nailed Him to the cross. He was “raised again the third day.” All of these things and more transpired according to how Jesus predicted they would.

The Resurrection

The single most compelling evidence that Jesus is the Son of God was powerfully demonstrated by His resurrection. In Romans 1:4, Jesus is “...declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” It is the power demonstrated in the resurrection that proves indisputably that Jesus IS the Messiah! All of our faith in the Gospel is based upon the fact of the resurrection – it is the corner stone of faith. 1 Corinthians 15:13-14 “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

The fact that He rose again is proven in several ways. First notice the fact that the chief priests had to bribe the men who had guarded Jesus’ tomb so that they would say that Jesus’ body was stolen.(Mat. 28:11-16). The chief priests had ordered the tomb guarded, the guards had witnessed the resurrection (Mat. 28:2-4), and then they were paid to keep their mouths shut.

The resurrected Savior was witnessed by hundreds of people, beginning with Mary Magdalene in Jn. 20:15-16. Then He appeared to Peter and the other Apostles. (1Cor. 15:5); He was witnessed by a crowd of more than five hundred (1Cor. 15:6); He appeared to James and finally to Paul (1Cor.15:7-8).

The Resurrected Savior was not an illusion or “ghost” – He was real; He had a physical body; He ate with His disciples and they touched Him (Lk. 24:36-43; Jn. 20:25-28). The apostle John records in 1 John 1:1-2, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)” John and the other apostles witnessed the resurrection, touched the Savior confirmed without a doubt that He was risen.

The apostles witnessed Jesus’ ascension up into Heaven in Lk. 24:51 and Acts 1:9-11 “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

We can see through the fulfillment of prophecy that Jesus is the Messiah – the Son of God and Savior of mankind. We must believe this – our salvation depends upon it! Jn. 8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” The resurrection is the key point of the Gospel – it proves without a doubt that Jesus is the Messiah. When we take into account the weight of all the evidence supporting the Messiahship of Jesus we cannot come to any other conclusion than – He is Lord!

We have not even made mention of the signs and miracles that Jesus performed. Jn. 20:30-31 “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” Jn. 21:25 “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written” Signs that were witnessed by an entire nation. Ac. 2:22 “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

What's Your Title Preacher?

As one reads various religious publications or watches TV on Sunday morning, he will hear or read many “titles” given to various ones who preach. Some of these individuals seem to put on a title, as you or I would put on a shirt. If a person were to string together every religious title used by the denominational world, he would have to introduce himself as, the “Right Reverend, Reverend, Apostle, Bishop, Cardinal, Elder, Evangelist, Father, Friar, Minister, Missionary, Parson, Pastor, Pope, Preacher, Priest, Dr. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. Ph. D.”

As one who preaches the gospel and is paid to do it, I am often asked by those outside of the church what my “title” is, or what they should call me. They usually act kind of confused when I tell them that my “title” is “mister.” After having said this, they still insist on calling me “Reverend” or “Pastor” and if my contact with them is to be brief or momentary, I try not to belabor the point. However, if there is time I simply try to explain to them why I do not and will not accept any “title” other than that of “mister.”

First, let it be known that every member of the family of God, is worthy of only one title and that title is “Christian.” Moreover, since we are of one family, it befits us to refer to one another as “brother” or “sister.” The one who preaches is deserving of no “greater” title than that of “Christian brother,” or simply “mister.” Even though, the “pulpit preacher,” is often the public face of the congregation, he has no greater position than that of any other Christian. His responsibilities are no different from those of any other Christian. He is simply supported by the local congregation, as an expedient, so that he can have the time to prepare and present biblically sound lessons that will edify and teach his fellow Christians. Therefore, I can think of no “better” or “higher” title than to be called after our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Second, we are commanded by Christ to call no man “father” (except our male parent). “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:8-12). We are not to think of men more highly than we should. When the Roman Centurion Cornelius, in Acts chapter ten, met Peter, he bowed down to worship and exalt him, yet Peter would not accept such praise. Peter understood that all are one in Christ Jesus, that he was no better or higher than any other person was. Therefore, he considered himself unworthy of any greater honor or title. Later in that chapter, he would discover that there was also no difference between ethnic Jews and gentiles.

Other so-called titles such as “bishop,” “pastor,” “shepherd,” or “elder” are simply descriptive terms, describing the duties of certain Christian men who meet the qualification listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The preacher may not be one who meets those qualifications, and therefore couldn’t properly be described as a “bishop,” pastor,” “shepherd,” or “elder.” Even so, these are not “titles” by which we ought to call men, but rather ways to describe them. Some other titles given to denominational leaders, such as “pope,” “bishop” and “cardinal,” (as they are used by the Catholic church) refer to positions that are not even biblical. These titles are part of a sectarian hierarchy that is found nowhere in scripture.

The titles, “apostle” or “prophet” are scriptural titles, by which men have been rightly called, but are no longer in use today. The sign and miracles that God worked through the prophets and the apostles were necessary to establish that they spoke with His authority and that their words were from Him. Now that their words have been authenticated as inspired, and they are now available in written form, the need for such signs and wonders has dissipated.

Finally titles such as “reverend,” “right reverend,” “your holiness,” etc., are terms that should properly be reserved for only God Himself! Nowhere in scripture do we find authority for calling anyone other than God by these kinds of titles. In the King James Version of the Bible the word “reverend” is found only one time, in Psalm 111:9, “He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever: Holy and Reverend is His name.” For me or any other man to assume such a title for himself is little short of blasphemy!

What is Christian Fellowship?

Fellowship with the family of God and with God Himself is one of the greatest blessings of being a Christian. Fellowship is something that is shared by all faithful Christians the world over. It is comforting and encouraging to know that we have wonderful Christian brothers and sisters from all over the world – most of whom we will never meet until that great day we are united with them for eternity in Heaven!

The word “fellowship” comes from the Greek word koinonia. It is elsewere translated in the King James Version as communion (1Cor.10:16; 2Cor.13:14); communicate (Heb.13:16); or contribution (Rom.15:26). All three usages of the word koinonia suggest commonality of purpose, partnership and interest. This commonality is illustrated by the words of the prophet Amos, Amo.3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

True Christian fellowship is not just pot-luck dinners, youth activities and social get-togethers. True fellowship goes beyond mere social activity. True fellowship is found in unity of the heart, spirit and understanding which can only come from a mutual acceptance of Biblical authority and a mutual love for the truth. Christian fellowship is not a club to be wielded in order to bend others to our will, as some attempt to misuse it by “witholding” it from those who differ from them in things that are strictly matters of opinion.

Fellowship is not something about which we can arbitrarily make decisions. One does not decide to “fellowship” one person or another. Such conflicts with the Biblical definition of fellowship. Fellowship with other Christians is a by-product of our fellowship with God. Our fellowship is not so much with each other as it is with God. 1Jn.1:3 ”That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

That fellowship with the Father and the Son is conditioned upon our continued faithful obedience to the gospel –i.e. “walking in the light.” 1Jn.1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” If we do not walk in the light we have no fellowship with God. If we have no fellowship with God, then we have none with those who walk in the light!

If we are in sin, we can have no fellowship with God. Isa.59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Hab.1:13 “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”

Since it is impossible for God to be in fellowship those who are in sin, it would stand to reason that a Christian also could not possibly be in true fellowship with those who are in sin. When an individual or even an entire congregation commits sin the chain of fellowship with God and with faithful Christians is broken. Eph.5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” 2Cor.6:14-17 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you...”

Howbeit, this does not mean that fellowship cannot be restored, but there must first be repentance on the part of the transgressor.

The question remains as to how we determine who we are to “fellowship.” We have already noted that we cannot be in fellowship with the works of darkness or unrighteousness. So, in determining fellowship we need to begin by differentiating between darkness and light and between righteousness and unrighteousness. The Bible clearly defines righteousness and godliness. 2Pet.1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” The secret to understanding where lines of fellowship are drawn is discovered by a diligent study of God’s Word. 2Tim.2:15 “Study [give diligence -ASV; be diligent -NKJV] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Discovering lines of fellowship requires careful study and righteous judgment on our part. 1The.5:21-22 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” We must be very careful not to give the impression that we “fellowship” error or that we “fellowship” those who practice error. To do that would be the same as bidding them “God speed” (2Jn.1:9-11).

True Christian fellowship is a wonderful blessing, but as with all of God’s blessings, it is incumbent upon us to remain faithful. Only then will we be able to share in God’s fellowship throughout eternity.

What Kind of Preaching?

What kind of preaching is needed by the church? Do the Lord’s people need to hear dissertations on Chinese proverbs written by Confucius? Not unless they are simply used to illustrate a scriptural point. Is preaching on the ‘pet peeves’ or ‘hobbies’ of the preacher what the children of God need to hear from the pulpit? Sometimes, maybe, if they are scripturally motivated. Should the sermon be presented in such a way as to send the entire audience home feeling good about themselves? Occasionally, yes. However, if the preacher always preaches ‘sunshine’ and never preaches ‘rain,’ he is not preaching the whole counsel of God, because the whole counsel of God contains both ‘sunshine’ and ‘rain.’ Does the church of Christ need to hear sermons that are presented by way of entertainment? In other words, sermons that are ‘preached’ using drama or stunning visual effects. NO. That is not preaching! A scriptural sermon can sometimes be illustrated with the use of humor, or visual aids that are not used for the express purpose of entertainment. The occasional ‘preacher story’ is useful as an illustration, but should never take the focus of the sermon away from the Holy Scriptures. Many of the ‘sermons’ that are ‘preached’ in the religious world are nothing more than fluff and are of less value than a “poke in the eye.” At least with a “poke in the eye” you might learn not to play with sharp objects, but with many ‘sermons’ you learn absolutely nothing that is of value.

What kind of preaching is needed by the church? Bible preaching! What kind of preaching teaches the whole counsel of God? Bible preaching! What kind of preaching uplifts those who are spiritually downtrodden, or brings down those who are “puffed-up”? Bible preaching! The preaching of the Word of God is what the children of God need to hear most! Only the Gospel has the ability to meet the spirituals needs of all men, women and children. The Gospel is THE POWER OF GOD unto salvation for those who are lost in sin and for those who are found in the Lord’s church. No other preaching will suffice other than the preaching of God’s Word.

Preaching God’s word is what causes those who hear it preached to have faith. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The gospel has the power to save mankind from sin, Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” But it must be preached and heard for that power to have any effect. How can anyone believe the gospel if they do not hear the gospel? Romans 10:14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” What happens when there is a preacher, but he does not preach the gospel? NOTHING. Yet that is exactly how it is with many ‘preachers.’ They preach all right, but they do not preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many preachers go to God’s Word looking for scriptures that seem to support their theological suppositions, and fail to treat the Bible in a holistic manner. They dissect it in order to get what they want out of it instead of looking at the Bible as a whole and get out of it what is there and to preach it as God’s message rather than their own.

If the gospel, the whole gospel and nothing but the gospel is preached then those who hear it cannot help but benefit from it! It may not always make them feel good about themselves, just as pain doesn’t make a person feel too good. Pain oftentimes, though, serves as a warning against physical harm. For instance, you feel pain when you get your hand too close to the fire and you jerk it away. But what if you felt no pain and you were to stick your hand in the fire? You would be standing there feeling good about yourself while your body caught fire and you burned to death. Sometime the gospel warns us in a similar fashion. If there were never any pain caused by the preaching, then many people would be just standing pat, thinking that everything was fine, while all the while they were burning to death spiritually! The whole counsel of God includes such painful warnings. It must be preached!

The best formula for what true preaching ought to be is found in the Bible. In Nehemiah 8:5-8.

“And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

In this passage, we note that Ezra read from God’s Word to the entire nation of Israel. He was standing before such a large audience that he needed 13 other men to help him reach them all. (I guess they couldn’t find a portable PA system.) Ezra and his helpers read the scriptures to the audience distinctly, so that all could hear. They also gave the audience the sense – they helped them to make the proper application of God’s message to their lives. And they presented God’s message in such a way as to allow everyone who heard it to understand its meaning. That was preaching! That is what the people in that day needed to hear! Why would people today need to hear anything different!? Preaching the gospel means to preach the GOSPEL!

Dealing with the Past

Do you have something in your past that hinders you from doing the right thing in the present?

Have you ever, in the past, done something for which you are now ashamed? I have! I am also pretty sure that anyone who is reading this article has, in all probability, done things in their past that they now regret having done. It is human nature to look back upon the past. Some things we recall with fondness; other things with shame or embarrassment. The past often has a way of catching up with us. Our past sins, if unrepented of, must still one day be reckoned with – “be sure your sin will find you out…” (Deuteronomy 32:23). Nevertheless, even past sins for which we have been forgiven, have a way of haunting us in the present. Sometimes the consequences of our past sins are still felt many years after repentance and forgiveness. In my case, my conscience still bothers me about some of the things I have done in the past. Even though I realize that God has forgiven me of those things, I sometimes have a hard time forgiving myself.

The apostle Paul had things in his past that could have hindered him from doing the right thing. He had plenty of cause to be remorseful. He had persecuted the church in Jerusalem and other places, “…Beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it…” (Galatians 1:13); “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison…” (Acts 8:3); “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2). He was even an accessory to murder at one point in his life! Remember when Stephen was stoned to death by an angry mob, that it was a young man named Saul who held the cloaks of Stephen’s assailants. “And cast him [Stephen] out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul… And Saul was consenting unto his death…”(Acts 7:58; 8:1).

Even before Paul’s conversion, Ananias was apprehensive towards him when the Lord commanded him to go to Paul and teach him what he needed to do in order to be saved. He said, “I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name…” (Acts 9:13-14). After Paul’s conversion, the consequences of his past sins were still felt. Some years after his conversion, the Christians at Jerusalem were still wary and mistrustful of him, “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.” (Acts 9:26).

Paul had reason to regret his past. First, because of the way his conscience must have bothered him for the things he had done, and second, because of what some others thought about his sincerity. How did Paul deal with this adversity? How did he put his past behind him? Did he run away and hide? Did he forsake God? NO! In his own words, he said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul’s answer to his regretted past was to forget it, to get over it and to reach for the things that were before him. He did not waste time on “what might have been,” but instead he strove for “what may be.” He pressed towards the mark!

Baseball coaches say that one of the most important attributes of a good pitcher is a short memory. If he throws out a pitch and it is knocked out of the ballpark, he must forget about it and move on. If he is still feeling timid after the last pitch was hit for a homerun, he has a problem. His next pitch is liable to leave the ballpark as well. The same goes with us in our religious life. If our past keeps haunting us, or if we let the feelings or attitudes that others have toward us affect our Christian walk, then we have a problem. We need to let go of the past and ignore what others may think of us, and press on in our Christian life. If we would continue to walk after the way of Christ, in the face of adversity, we will be richly blessed. It is said, “Time heals all wounds.” If we faithfully follow our Savior, in time, the guilt we feel or the negative feelings of others will fade. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). Strive towards the mark of salvation! Do not let your past, or other people’s attitudes towards it, hinder you from doing what is right! If you do these things, you shall never be ashamed and everything else will just fall into place.

Jesus Provided Alcohol?

Many have tried to justify the consumption of beverage alcohol based upon the Gospel account of Jesus turning water into wine in the John 2:1-11. Let us begin to answer this question with the Biblical definition of the word wine. In the New Testament, “wine” is translated from the Greek word oinos. This is a generic term for the juice that comes specifically from grapes, either fermented or non-fermented. The entire context of where oinos is used will dictate whether fermented or non-fermented is meant. Just like our English word “cider,” which can be either “hard” (alcoholic) or just plain cider – non-alcoholic, it all depends on how it is used. The same principle is true of “wine” in the Old Testament. Please read the following passages and answer the questions for yourself. 1.) Isaiah 16:10 – What comes directly out of wine presses? Plain grape juice or fermented grape juice? 2.) Isaiah 65:8 – What is found inside a cluster of grapes? Fermented juice or unfermented? 3.) Deuteronomy 11:14 – What is “gathered in” when the grapes are harvested? Grape juice or alcoholic wine?

We have established the fact that the Biblical word “wine” can sometimes be used in a generic sense (either fermented or unfermented), but that still does not answer the question as to whether Jesus made an alcoholic beverage when He turned the water into wine in John Chapter Two. As was noted previously, in order to establish which use of the word applies in a certain passage, the entire context needs to be taken into account – not just the immediate context (same chapter / book), but the broader context must be accounted for. In the Biblical context in which Jesus lived and in which the Wedding Feast at Cana took place, it would be a sin for one who, like Jesus, is a Jew to consume alcohol or to give his neighbor alcohol. (Habakkuk 2:15-16).

We know that Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life – never transgressing a single, solitary commandment under the Law of Moses. 1 Peter 2:22 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth...” Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin...” These inspired statements are false if Jesus provided alcohol to the guests of the wedding feast. Neither did Jesus sin here nor did He tempt others to sin. James 1:13 affirms that fact. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” Therefore, we can know assuredly that Jesus did not turn the water into alcohol.

Yet, some make the objection that the immediate context gives the impression that Jesus did provide alcoholic wine. They quote the “governor of the feast” in John 2:10, “Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now...” It is assumed by some that the phrase “well drunk” refers to the guests being inebriated. That assumption does not consider the possibility that “well drunk” refers to the quantity they had consumed rather than the effect (drunkenness) it had on them. They had apparently consumed enough grape juice that their sense of taste had become dulled. The “governor of the feast” was simply noting the unusual circumstances in which the host had brought out the good quality wine after all of the lesser quality wine had been consumed.