June 1, 2009

Debt & Forgiveness

[This article was written by Robert A. Sochor.]

In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus taught the parable of the unmerciful servant. For every generation it is relevant and helps us understand the need for forgiveness: forgiveness granted to the king’s servant as well as the forgiveness and mercy that were denied to the servant’s debtor. The king of verse 23 who ruled over all in the parable was displeased (wroth, verse 34) with his servant and actually ended his forbearance by requiring payment. The concluding lesson of the parable is found in verse 35 — that we as forgiven sinners should forgive those who trespass against us.

I have not done the parable justice by summarizing it so briefly. But there is one point of the parable that stands out, and that is the servant’s debt to the king. In verse 24 the servant had run up a debt of 10,000 talents. There are varying explanations of how much debt this actually was. One margin note stated that one talent was about 15 years’ wage for a common laborer. Multiplying this out would show this debt was quite unpayable. Other estimates I have heard run into the millions, even the billions, of dollars. I have always wondered, how did he run up such a debt? How did he ever expect to repay it? And what was he thinking?

But then I remember this is just a parable. A parable is a story to illustrate a greater spiritual truth. The man in the parable really does not exist. He is only in the story to represent someone else. And that someone is us. We are the ones who ran up a completely unpayable debt. We are the ones not thinking of how we would ever pay back the debt that we had run up. If we consider the man in the parable foolish, then we would have to say that also about ourselves. There is not one of us who could point to this man and say, “I’d never do that.” We have all sinned (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22). We have incurred that overwhelming debt we could never repay. And the debt we owe because of our sin is staggering. Romans 6:23 says the “wages” (the just compensation) for our sins is death. In the Old Testament, Ezekiel states the consequences more bluntly: “The soul that sins, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). Sin carries a terrible consequence.

In the parable the foolish debt-ridden servant was fortunate to be in debt to this particular king for he was merciful. There is nothing about the servant which should recommend forgiving the debt. He was not particularly good; in fact, there is nothing good said about this servant in all of the parable. He had done nothing to merit this forgiveness.

After being forgiven, there was no change in the servant. Such forgiveness “reasonably” should have produced (or have been followed by) a change in character and conduct in his life. It did not. In the case of ourselves, when forgiven we should have a change of character and conduct. The New Testament calls this “newness of life” (Romans 6:4) or being “transformed” (Romans 12:2). The God who granted such great forgiveness has every reasonable expectation that this change would be present in those He has forgiven.

There is a practicality to this and probably all parables. If we miss it, it is to our shame.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ,
June 1, 2009

Our Purpose in Life

Sunset by the ocean

People naturally want their lives to have a purpose. Depression often comes when someone thinks his life has no meaning or when he thinks that the things he does have no lasting significance. It is easy to feel a lack of purpose and significance when we focus on physical things.

This is what the book of Ecclesiastes is all about. The wise man began the book with these words: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). He wrote about his search for purpose and satisfaction in many things, but found none. He called wisdom “striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:17). He said pleasure was “futility” and that it accomplished nothing (Ecclesiastes 2:1-2). The great possessions he had obtained were of “no profit” (Ecclesiastes 2:11) and his hard work was “vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:23). These observations may be summed up in this statement: “So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). Many of us have likely had similar thoughts at one time or another.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , ,
May 24, 2009

The Bible & Gay Marriage

I’ve written a few things about gay marriage and homosexuality recently (links at the end of this post). But something occurred to me today that I had not mentioned in a previous article. It’s a simple point, and maybe it will be another argument we can use when discussing this issue with others.

Many believe there is nothing wrong with homosexuality, that it is an inherited trait, an acceptable practice, and a normal lifestyle. They argue (incorrectly) that the Bible does not call this a sin. And they contend that God accepts those who continue to practice homosexuality.

Then the argument is made for same-sex marriage. If there is nothing wrong with homosexuality (as they believe), then there is no reason (in their minds) why gays cannot marry one another.

Even if homosexuality was not a sin, that would not necessarily mean that same-sex marriage is acceptable. For those who believe homosexuality is a wholesome lifestyle and that God accepts unrepentant homosexuals, I challenge them to find just one passage that mentions, or even suggests that God allows same-sex marriage. After all, God instituted marriage (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-6). If gays can marry, surely there is some verse were we can find this.

The fact of the matter is that there is no verse that either condones or explicitly condemns same-sex marriage. You would think that if homosexuality wasn’t a sin, then logically God would either endorse same-sex marriage or explain why He does not allow it. But there is nothing there. The lack of a mention says a lot.

Homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:9-10). No twisted arguments used to justify the practice or same-sex marriage will change that.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ,
May 22, 2009

Even Barnabas

Paul told the brethren in Galatia of the time when he came to Antioch and had to rebuke his fellow apostle Peter or Cephas (Galatians 2:11-14). The reason why Paul rebuked him was because of his hypocrisy. Peter knew that God accepted the Gentiles (Acts 10:34-35; 11:17-18). He also knew that God accepted them without them adopting certain aspects of the Law of Moses like circumcision (Acts 15:5-11). Yet when certain Jews arrived, he withdrew and refused to associate with his Gentile brethren.

Peter’s sin is usually what we emphasize in these verses, and rightly so. But Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, believed it was also good to single out Barnabas as one of the ones who went along with Peter. Paul said, “Even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (Galatians 2:13), indicating that Barnabas’ fault was significant. What lessons can we learn from Barnabas’ sin here in Antioch?
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , ,
May 14, 2009

People Are Not Born Gay

Many homosexuals and those who support their lifestyle have argued that those who are gay are so because of their genetic makeup, i.e., they were born gay. This was given as a reason why we cannot say that homosexuality is wrong because, after all, they cannot help it. Supposedly, there was scientific evidence to back up this claim.

Reasoning from the Bible, Christians have taught that homosexuality is a chosen practice, not a trait that was hardwired into one’s DNA. After all, the Bible calls homosexuality a sin (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:9-10). And we know that God would not allow some people to be born in a state that would guarantee their damnation because “God is not one to show partiality” (Acts 10:35). Paul even alludes to some in Corinth who had once engaged in this practice, but had given it up when they turned to the Lord (“Such were some of you…” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

So we had this apparent conflict. Should we believe the word of God, or scientific evidence?

Well, it turns out that the American Psychological Association is now admitting that there is no evidence that a gene exists that makes one gay. You can read about it here: APA revises ‘gay gene’ theory.

There are surely many factors that contribute to one’s decision to engage in homosexuality. In the same way, there are many factors that might contribute to one’s decision to lie, steal, commit adultery, or murder. But that does not change the fact that these actions are sinful. Instead of looking for excuses for sinful behavior, we must simply repent and follow the Lord.

Jesus is, “to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). Make the choice to follow Him. As the Hebrew writer went on to say, “let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

    Filed Under: Current Events Tagged With: , , , ,
    May 13, 2009

    Do You Have The Lord?

    Tim Haile has recently written an article about what it means to “have the Lord.” It is about our fellowship with God and how to maintain that fellowship. Here is an excerpt from the article:

    Over the years I have been asked this question many times. The question is scriptural and good, but I fear that it is often answered apart from any consideration of the Scriptures. This results in many people affirming to “have the Lord” when they know nothing of what the relationship involves or requires. If we intend to use a Bible phrase, we should use it consistent with its biblical context. Let us see how the phrase is defined in Scripture.

    Read the rest of the article: Do You Have The Lord?

    Filed Under: Links Tagged With: ,
    May 7, 2009

    Miss California & Gay Marriage – A Different Perspective

    Much has been said in the past couple of weeks about Miss USA pageant contestant Carrie Prejean (Miss California) and her answer to a judge’s question about same-sex marriage. Ms. Prejean responded by stating her belief that marriage should be between one man and one woman.

    The subject of same-sex marriage is a very divisive issue in this country. There has been much speculation about the possibility that her answer could have cost her the Miss USA crown. In terms of winning the contest, it would have been safer for her to give a more politically correct answer. But instead, she stated what she believes, regardless of the consequences in the competition.

    As a result of this, many Christians have expressed admiration for this woman for stating her beliefs. While I am thankful that someone was willing to openly state this belief about marriage in a forum as public as the Miss USA pageant, I think we ought to be hesitant to lift her up as a role model of faith, particularly for young women and girls.

    It is good that Ms. Prejean was willing to state her belief in Biblical truth, that marriage is between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5), even if it meant she might lose the competition. But what about the Bible teaching that says women are to dress in modest apparel (1 Timothy 2:9), and that it is a shameful thing for one’s body to be on display (Isaiah 47:2-3)?

    One part of the competition which the contestants were judged on was a swimsuit competition. Miss California, of course, participated. In fact, most of the news reports on the internet about this story that I have seen have had a big picture of Ms. Prejean in her bikini from this portion of the pageant.  She obviously has no scruples against showing off her body in public.

    Some may think I’m being too picky and that I should just be happy that she stated her belief that marriage is only between one man and one woman. I am happy she stated her opposition to the growing same-sex marriage movement. But we should not think that as long as we agree on whatever the issue of the day is, other things don’t matter. Sin is sin. Whatever the Bible teaches is important, no matter what topic it is.

    It is important that out children and young people are taught about God’s design and plan for marriage. It is also important that these young people, particularly young women and girls, are taught to be modest in all manners of life: speech, conduct, and dress.

      Filed Under: Current Events Tagged With: ,