Thoughts on "Once Saved Always Saved"

by Delta Vines

Yesterday I was reading on James Maloney's Facebook page Aletheia Eleutheroo, which is also known as "Ask Professor Maloney".  On said page one of the questions which were brought up to James was on the doctrine of  Once Saved Always Saved.  His answer is one of those which I not only understand but with which I agree!  Sometimes we are so focused on the bare minimal that we miss out on the absolute best possible. 

In Revelation we are told of the white robes all believers in Jesus will be given in heaven.  We are also told of crown's given, some with jewels, based on our beliefs and works as a result of our faith in Him.  (I suggest reading the Book of Revelation to understand in context).  The robes we keep - the crown's we throw at the feet of the Lord.  I'd be saddened to not have a crown to give back to Him.  How awesome it will be to give to Him the result of harvesting His best in me!  What an honorable worship!

James'answer is so good I realized I could not begin to paraphrase adequately.  So, with his permission, I have posted the crux of his commentary.  I pray it stirs your spirit, encourages your heart and motivates us all to know the Lord more fully.  Thanks Jim!

Comments on Once Saved Always Saved (by James Maloney)

I believe it is extremely difficult to lose one’s salvation. But I do believe it is possible. Most likely, people who revert and recant their salvation – one could arguably say they weren’t serious about their salvation commitment to begin with – this is the stance of Calvinists, and there can be a lot of truth to this notion. Many people play games with God for years and years, even with themselves, deceiving themselves for years that they are saved, and in the end, their lifestyles dictate otherwise.

Maria Woodworth-Etter spoke about some conversions being one way, and other conversions another way. She used the term being “brightly” converted. Now, look, saved is saved. You either are or you aren’t. But the whole point of Christianity, to be a “follower of Christ,” is NOT to get into heaven just by the skin of your teeth, because Hey, God’s a gracious God. Whew, just made it. That’s a sad testimony and demeans the work of the cross – as if Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t enough to change one’s lifestyle, just save them barely from hell’s flames.

Sadly, a lot Christians fall in this category, and this is why I personally believe not EVERY Christian will have a crown in heaven – many will just have a white robe. Yes, they are saved and they are in the Lord’s presence eternally – that’s the most important thing, considering the alternative. But Christianity is not JUST about salvation from hell. It is conforming one’s life to the Spirit’s promptings, being obedient “even to the point of death” and being transformed into a likeness of Christ Himself (note—I said likeness, I don’t want a whole bunch of comments that I’m saying we become deity, let’s get away from this garbage, please!) But Christianity is a lifestyle, not just a moment of salvation. In fact, soteriology teaches that salvation is a process. Sozo is present continuous. “You were saved, you are being saved, you will be saved.” Justification, Sanctification, Glorification.

Some people try to skip the second step, and OSAS makes all three steps the same thing, in essence – they will argue otherwise, but when the choice of salvation (and keeping it) is taken away, we’ve just crammed Justification, Sanctification and Glorification into the same singular experience of “being saved.”

I’ve found many people need to believe in OSAS because their lifestyle requires such. Selah...

However, to say that one can be “born again” and do whatever one wants to do, even to the point of denying their salvation experience in Christ, and STILL go to heaven, to me, is contrary to common sense. And the question I always ask is, “Why would you want to play such a dangerous game of Russian roulette?”

I am all about grace, I love grace, but grace has a price. The Lord demands His disciples act a certain way – hence, the Bible…
Just like freedom in Christ means to be in submission to His commandments. Does that seem oxymoronic? Freedom while being a “slave” to Christ, as Paul called himself.

We often try to look at things like some magical formula, some x+y = z and that means you’re saved. It doesn’t work this way. “Well, I was sprinkled by the priest as a baby, therefore, I will go to heaven no matter if I kill a bunch of people and steal their money.” “When I was five I went down to the altar and said, ‘Jesus come into my heart.’”

For people who argue the “science” of how can a spirit be regenerated (born-again) and become “un-born-again” (totally a made up word) is to deny the very essence of a holy and just God who is omnipotent and sovereign. And to negate the fact of human will.

If salvation is a miracle, the loss of salvation is an “anti-“ miracle, right? If God can do one, why can’t the reverse happen? Why can’t we make it “undone”? That’s like saying, “God created the earth a specific way.” Yes, we all agree with this – Eden was perfect. But mankind had a choice in messing it up, right? God permitted them to choose death (or in Eve’s case, be beguiled into choosing death.) If a person has NO OTHER CHOICE but to go to heaven, then we are simply robots with no real will. It goes both ways with Calvinism—some are made to go to heaven, some are made to go to hell.

I believe everyone MUST decide one way or the other. Otherwise all of Christianity (the act of becoming more like Christ) is a sham, and we should just go do what we feel in our hearts we should do, because I cannot lose my salvation and neither can you. Some will choose to “be good” and most won’t. Hey, there’s that “choose” word again. Hmmm…

Luckily, you and I will never have to decide who makes the cut and who doesn’t. That’s what should be the focus here. OSAS and those against OSAS still have a God in heaven they are answerable too. We worship the same Lord, with just a differing viewpoint on that Lord’s grace and mercy. Only God knows, and only God will judge. To me, the point is, “fear and trembling” means just that. The “fear” of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In other words, don’t push it. Don’t test those limits. Don’t find out just how far you can go before you “lose” your salvation. It is an attitude of the heart, see?

I’m not saying we live in fear of losing our salvation — don’t take this out of context. God is not the author of fear. God is love, and God is full of grace, His mercies are new every morning, He is slow to anger. Don’t be saved because you’re afraid of your soul burning in fire – be saved because you love your Lord and you don’t want to hurt Him by doing something stupid, such as habitual sin and a careless attitude toward grace and holiness. That is why Paul was ECSTATIC to call himself a bondslave of Christ. He “got” what it’s all about. A decision to live like Christ (through only His grace and mercy and Spirit, of course.)

I reiterate: the whole point of Christianity is to pursue a crown, not just a white robe! Don’t be one of those people who “just make it” because God’s a gracious God. Be more than a conqueror. And I think you will be!

So, to sum up, I have a very moderate viewpoint concerning OSAS – I don’t unequivocally believe a person cannot lose their salvation, nor do I take it to the extreme, as say Mennonites, who believe one sin causes you to lose your salvation. I believe one cannot “accidentally” lose their salvation – it is a choice they must consciously make, continuously over a period of time (habitual sin, a conscious decision not to care about sin, a rejection of truth even though the Spirit continues to convict and woo—because He’s full of grace!) and one could argue, were they “brightly” converted to begin with? Was it really true salvation? That goes to my statement above – only God knows, and thank Him, we don’t have to be in charge of determining.

Because you’d have to be out of your mind to give salvation up! To me, that is the height of insanity.

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The Garbage Train

by Delta Vines

Like many in the United States, our community has endured triple digit temperatures during these summer months.  In our case, those temperatures lasted eight consecutive days before a break lowering the temps into the 90's!  Eight long, hot, parched days.  Being hot and dry did little for the appearance of my flower bed and plants. Our electric bill suffered as well.  During hot weather we tend to me more consciously aware of such things.  One thing we forgot to anticipate was...stench.  Our trash is picked up by sanitation engineers once a week.  Usually there is no issue with smell.  However, in the days of extreme temperatures, the smell became apparent.  And strong.  There is no amount of disinfectant spray that can successfully eliminate that smell. 

This became all the more significant to me during one of my precious prayer times.  While praying for the state of our country and for Believers all over, I began to see partial views of the faces of people as they were speaking.  "Great", I thought, "other people are praying too!"

Then the view changed.  I saw a garbage can.  Not one of the plastic type ones but an old fashioned ordinary metallic garbage can.  This can was filled with garbage when I "saw" it being lifted up and dumped out.  The garbage fell out onto what appeared to be a large piece of white material.  Can after can of garbage was being dumped out until the material, which at that point I had concluded to be a type of drop cloth, was no longer discernable. 

At that point I saw two edges of the material lifting up, as if it were being gathered to be dumped into a bigger receptacle. Confused, I asked the Lord "now what?". He simply replied "Look for the train".

So I did. 

I looked to the right.  There were no rail tracks; only grass and flowers.  Then I looked to the left.  Still no rail tracks; only all kinds of garbage.  "Look further" I heard the Lord say as I tried to look beyond the garbage. 

Then I saw it.

A magnificent dress upon someone with her back to me.  It was beautiful!  I gasped as the realization of what the white material was:  a bridal train.

I asked the Lord why this bride's regal dress being ruined with garbage?

"When My people "talk trash" about one another, they are damaging that which I desire in My Bride. They are ruining their own wedding dress.  Instead of strife, there needs to be reconciliation.  It doesn't matter who is right or who is wrong!  Stop hurting one another.  If correction is needed, then let the leaders correct - and don't speak or think of it anymore.  If correction is not accepted, then separate from that person, and speak no more of it.  Do not harbor a grudge, or bitterness.  Forgive.  Don't be prideful. Be approachable to reconcile.  But speak no more of it.  Gossip brings stains and wrinkles which can not be removed as long as it exists whether in words or in thoughts. Think no more on it and speak no more of it."

As the vision left, I was reminded of Ephesians 5:27 (CJB):

" in order to present the Messianic Community to himself as a bride to be proud of, without a spot, wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without defect."
 
Having been guilty of all of this at various times in the past, I found myself struggling with these words of the Lord.  How many times had my harboring a grudge in the past added to the staining of the wedding gown of His Bride?  How many harsh words had I spoken?  Or the pain of wounded pride?  While I had asked forgiveness of those sins before, this time I needed to ask forgiveness of hurting others.

I know as Christians we have spoken of the return of the Lord.  How can He return to such a dysfunctional family as us?  Jesus is working His character into us.  It isn't easy allowing Him to continue to remove things from our lives in order to mold us into that which He wants us to be.  It is, however, necessary so we can be living sacrifices, holy and blameless before Him. 

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Untwisting Twisted Teaching

by Delta Vines

Many Christians and non-Christians define marriage as between a man and a woman only. There are also several people, both Christian and non-Christian, who support same-sex marriage. Among the latter are those whom identify themselves as homosexual and Christian, seeking a way to resolve the scriptures which clearly say it is impossible to be both.

Before I continue let me say upfront that I am a human being who struggles with temptations and sin just as everyone else does. I have to ask forgiveness of sins just as others do. I do not hate homosexuals. You will definitely not see me joining in activities with members of a certain notorious church in Kansas. I've some extended family members and acquaintances of mine identify themselves as gay. There is no way would I advocate harm upon anyone. It is out of concern for the eternal soul of such that I am sharing that which the scriptures truly say on the subject.

Of late there have been “gay Christian” teachers who try to use the Bible to validate that which G-d has said is invalid. They dissect the Biblical Greek and Hebrew just enough to skew the meanings while setting aside the complete information. Of concern is that pastors as well as lay people are beginning to believe these teachings which  use the Bible to teach that homosexuality is not sin.  Homosexuality, however, is more than “just a sin”. In G-d’s eyes, it is an abomination. It is to’evah.

Out in the world of making meanings fit what we want them to, there are people who diminish the word “to’evah” without sharing the full definition. Not finding a website or link for The Encyclopedia of Judaism, I’ve shared its content on the word below:

The term "abomination" commonly using in biblical translations generally represents three distinct biblical words: to'evah, shekets, and piggul.

To'evah is the highest degree of abomination, and was originally used to indicate an action which offends the religious sensibilities of a people. Thus, when Joseph was in Egypt and his brothers came down to buy wheat, the brothers were forced to eat apart from the Egyptians, "as it was a to'evah for Egypt" to eat together with them (Gen. 43:32). To the Egyptians, the Hebrews were an inferior race. Furthermore (Gen. 46:34), the Egyptians considered cattle-raising to be a to'evah, and that was the occupation of the Hebrews at that time.

The same word is used in the Bible (Deut. 14:3) in regard to animals which are forbidden to be eaten: "You shall not eat any to'evah," for such animals are considered to be abominations. An even greater abomination is the practice of idolatry, with the idols themselves being referred to as to'evah: "You shall not bring a to'evah into your home" (Deut. 7:26).

Sexual offenses, in particular, are denounced as to'evah. This includes transvestism (Deut. 22:5) and male homosexual acts (Lev. 18:22; 20:13). Indeed, in summation of the different sexual offenses enumerated in Leviticus 18, it is stated (v. 26, 28), "... You shall not do any of these abominations ... lest the land vomit you out when you defile it ^{..." 1}

Being vomited out is not a pleasant thought. Neither is being incinerated as what happened in the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the area around those cities. One of the “teachings” of “gay Christians” is that it wasn’t homosexuality that led to the destruction of S & G. The two main reasons given are: 1) that all the men of the city wanted to gang rape and humiliate Lot’s angelic visitors; and 2) the city was inhospitable. Threatening to be gang raped would definitely not make one feel welcome. However, the fact that the men refused the two daughters Lot offered them is telling in that it wasn’t just lust and a need to humiliate which these men sought. They wanted homosexual sex.

As we know the Lord warned Abraham of that which was to come to Lot’s home by these words: "The outcry against S'dom and 'Amora is so great and their sin so serious that I will now go down and see whether their deeds warrant the outcry that has reached me; if not, I will know."²  The word“outcry” there is tsa’aq, the same as “crying out” in the question G-d asked Cain about Abel in Genesis 4: "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground!” It wasn’t rumors of inhospitality that caused G-d to pay attention to what was happening in the twin Canaanite cities. The earth itself was bearing witness against the sin of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Upon meeting Lot at the city gates of Sodom – the angels from the Lord consented to visiting Lot in his home. It was during that time the men of the city began harassing Lot to hand over the “men” for sex. The city was so evil it did not even care to ask if the men wanted to participate – it was assumed this would be the case. The refusal to do so was not expected – and not well received.³ Expression of perverted lust was a common occurrence. It may have also been part of their “hospitality” - to show interest.

Another popular teaching among the Christians who support homosexuality as a lifestyle is that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was neglecting the needs of others. They point to Ezekiel 16:49, which reads: “The crimes of your sister S'dom were pride and gluttony; she and her daughters were careless and complacent, so that they did nothing to help the poor and needy.” In and of itself that indeed appears to be the sin for which the two towns and their surrounding were destroyed…until you read the whole chapter:

Ezekiel 16:46 “Moreover, your older sister is Shomron, who lives at your left, she and her daughters; and your younger sister, living at your right, is S'dom with her daughters. 47 You didn't merely live by their ways and act according to their disgusting practices, but in a very short time you acted more corruptly than they in all your ways. 48 "'As I live' says Adonai ELOHIM, 'your sister S'dom has not done, neither she nor her daughters, [as much evil] as you have done, you and your daughters. 49 The crimes of your sister S'dom were pride and gluttony; she and her daughters were careless and complacent, so that they did nothing to help the poor and needy. 50 They were arrogant and committed disgusting acts before me; so that when I saw it, I swept them away. 51 Shomron did not commit even half as many sins as you did. You committed many more disgusting acts than your sisters; in fact, in comparison with all the disgusting acts you have committed, they seem innocent!”

The word transcribed in Ezekiel 16 repeatedly as “disgusting” is in fact to’evah.

G-d wants more from us other than to just live like everyone else.⁴ This was clear in his instructions in Leviticus 18:3-5 where He says “‘You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. 'You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the LORD your God. 'So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD”.

G-d had good reason to warn the Hebrews away from the Canaanite lifestyle. Remember, He had previous experience with the Canaanites when Lot lived at Sodom.

We know the ancient Egyptians and Canaanites were involved in idol worship. Among the Canaanites such worship of idols such as Molech and Baal included human sacrifice. Children, some as old as six and as young as newborn were placed in the burning metal “hands” of the idol of Molech and burned alive.⁵ As well, temple prostitutes were a part of the idol worship of those in Canaan. Some were women, and some were men. Some of the “gay Christian” teaching alleges that G-d’s specific instructions against homosexual acts in Leviticus 18:22, is only against the act done in idol worship.

The flaw with that argument is that homosexuality, bestiality, incest, adultery, fornication, and the sacrificing of children were a part of everyday life in Canaan. It is this which G-d was addressing in His preamble in Leviticus 18:3-5. The rest of the chapter addresses the forbiddings of these sexual sins in detail. He re-addresses these sins in Leviticus 20, as if G-d were making sure the Hebrews (and us) clearly understood what He was saying. Throughout the Books of 1^stand 2^nd Kings we read of how the Hebrews fell into that which G-d warned them against.

Yet, another argument made by “gay Christians” that homosexuality is not sin comes from the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:12 "For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men ; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it." (ASV) Their focus on eunuchs being born eunuchs, they say, is proof that homosexuals are born gay. Yet, a eunuch is not a homosexual. Being born incapable of sexual relation can happen “from birth” due to an endocrine disorder leading to low testosterone levels; or childhood illness (i.e. mumps orchitis), or other medical conditions. By saying there are some who are born eunuchs, Jesus was not endorsing homosexuality as a normal, scripturally acceptable lifestyle. They are two totally different situations.

Jude, the brother of Jesus, wrote of “certain individuals, the ones written about long ago as being meant for this condemnation, have wormed their way in - ungodly people who pervert God's grace into a license for debauchery and disown our only Master and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah.” (vs 4) In describing such people, Jude wrote: “And S'dom, 'Amora and the surrounding cities, following a pattern like theirs, committing sexual sins and perversions, lie exposed as a warning of the everlasting fire awaiting those who must undergo punishment.”(vs 7)

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:9 &10 “Don't you know that unrighteous people will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't delude yourselves - people who engage in sex before marriage, who worship idols, who engage in sex after marriage with someone other than their spouse, who engage in active or passive homosexuality, who steal, who are greedy, who get drunk, who assail people with contemptuous language, who rob - none of them will share in the Kingdom of God.” In his first letter to Timothy first chapter, Paul goes a little farther: “We are aware that Torah is not for a person who is righteous, but for those who are heedless of Torah and rebellious, ungodly and sinful, wicked and worldly, for people who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral - both heterosexual and homosexual - slave dealers, liars, perjurers, and anyone who acts contrary to the sound teaching.”

Were it not for the Grace of G-d and salvation through Jesus many of us would be heading toward eternity apart from Him. Our part, after asking for forgiveness, is to repent – or teshuvah. Teshuvah means “turn or return” – asking forgiveness and resolving to never repeat that sin again. If it were not for turning away from our sins, we would be captive to them and unable to receive forgiveness of those sins. Acts 3:19 “reform ye, therefore, and turn back, for your sins being blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” (Youngs Literal Translation). Stopping the participation in the sin is important!

I think of the ill man at the Beit-Zata mikveh. After healing the man, Jesus “found him in the Temple court and said to him, "See, you are well! Now stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you!"⁶ Jesus also gave the same instructions to the woman accused of adultery in John 8:11 to “sin no more”. While we all struggle to not sin; we don’t have to live (or have) lifestyles as a sinner. Homosexuality is sin. It is living a life of abominable sin. It doesn’t have to be. Many struggle with sins that enslave our hearts and souls such as adultery or drug addiction or belief in reincarnation– a type of idol worship. The Lord, however, will meet people, no matter their sinful state, where they need Him to be. He sees our hearts and hears our cries and forgives us our sins as we turn away from them and toward Him.

As an example: having a dislocated arm/shoulder popped back into place is unpleasant. Listening to sound scriptural teaching (1 Tim 1:10) can be the same. However, we know that just as the shoulder must be placed back in it’s proper working position, the same is true for we humans. G-d designed us specifically so we can be as we need to be in order for His Body (people who follow Him) to live as He truly made us. The shoulder joint needs to be strong and solid for the arm to be popped into the socket so it can work. A sling helps to keep it stabilized until the healing is complete.

Those who are seeking healing and forgiveness (out of socket) need healthy Christians (socket/sling) to help as they heal. Staying in a church that teaches sin is not sin is unhealthy. A church that teaches no forgiveness is damaging. We cannot allow ourselves or others to be deceived by errant teachings.⁷ Instead we are to offer solid, compassionate support to those who need it. It’s up to believers in the Lord to not fall prey to twisted teachings.

Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures come from the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB).

REFERENCES:

¹ Continuing from the Encyclopedia of Judaism: Shekets is a lesser degree of abomination and refers to unclean species of fish, seafood, birds, etc. (Lev. 11:10-13), but is also sometimes used, especially among the Prophets, in regard to idolatry. Thus it is written (Jer. 4:1), "... if you remove your abominations---shikutseha---from My presence ..."

Piggul is a term used specifically for sacrifices brought to the Temple, and denotes the flesh of a sacrifice which was not consumed within the specified biblical time frame and can therefore no longer be eaten, or even the flesh of a sacrifice which had been brought with the intention of eating it after the specified time. An improper intention renders the meat of the sacrifice piggul.

² Genesis 18:20-21
³ Genesis 19:20
⁴ Ex 19:5 1 Pet 2:9, Dt 14:2
⁵ John , 1989)Day, Molech: A God of Human Sacrifice in the Old Testament (Cambridge: Cambridge University⁶John 5:14
⁷Titus 3:1-8

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God's Ear

by Delta Vines

While closet cleaning last week, I came across some journaling I had kept several years ago. The pages that reflected my love for the Lord were so precious to read. It was good to see the measure of growth I had experienced from that time to now. As I turned the pages perusing the words, I came across a time in my life where I learned that G-d has ears.

It should not have been a surprise to learn that since we know G-d made us in His image (Gen 1:27). To be honest, I just had not thought about it. When I think of the Lord, I generally think of His face - and sometimes His hands. G-d is so all powerful who would think of Him in specifics of features like ears?

The prophet Daniel did. I had read Daniel 9 many times before, but I had not really noticed the first part of verse 18 in chapter 9: “Give ear, O God, and hear”.

David did. In the Psalms he mentioned the ear of G-d several times with phrases such as “Give ear to my prayer”, and “Give ear to me”.

The fact that in interceding on behalf of ourselves and others we can ask Father G-d for His attention, His ear, is a boldness I had not considered before. It was then I found myself coming to a place where I needed to pay attention.

For several months the Lord had been drawing me in closer to Him, to fellowship and learn more of Him. He had been speaking things to my heart regarding that which He had purposed in my life.

Often it had become harder to hear Him. At that time in my life, there were too many voices giving conflicting opinions about who/what/how I was. Mostly, I was suffering from their imposed "Nazareth syndrome" (John 1:46). To say I was conflicted was an understatement. I needed confirmation. It didn’t matter how that confirmation came, as long as it was from G-d.

Sometimes confirmation in the past had come from a friend phoning me and sharing something the Lord had put on their heart. At other times it had been in words to a song or a message on a poster. At other times it would come from a prophetic word. I continued seeking Father G-d’s perfect will in all this.

Months later I was blessed to be able to go out of town for a few days. While doing so I was invited to a get-together at the home of some friends. While there, I asked these friends, who were also ministers, about the possibility of prayer or ministry while at their church the next morning. I'll never forget the reply: "You want a word? I guarantee you will get a word tomorrow. Unless the power of the Lord comes down and lays me out and leaves me incapable of getting up off the floor of the church, you will get a word."

At face value, that may read like a real good thing. To me it wasn't for the body language and cynicism of voice signaled it was going to be one of those discouraging "Nazareth" things again. Sigh. I laid that aside while I mingled with the other guests.

Later that evening, while back in my room, I began to feel rather embarrassed that I had asked about being ministered to. I prayed for the request to be forgotten. Father G-d reminded me that He hears everything. He knows my heart struggles and He hears the cry of my heart. I needed to trust Him more. He had heard the promise of my friend regarding having a "word" for me. There would be no words given to me out of familiarity. All was well.

Church service the next morning was really good. The time of worship was very refreshing.

Then - it happened.

The presence of the Lord was strong and sweet. My friend found himself on the floor, unable to move. I knew G-d was smiling, enjoying it. The very thing my friend had said would have to happen to keep him from giving me a “word” in front of everyone happened! He was only able to pray, unable to move, laying face down on the floor.

G-d’s ear had been tuned into our conversation the evening before.

I sat down in a one of the seats while I enjoyed the refreshment of the Lord's presence. An hour later, when my friend was finally able to sit in the chairs, he was smiling. So was I, as I said "So, what's it feel like being so prophetic?" regarding his statement from the evening before. He didn’t seem to understand the reference so I just left it there.

The confirmation I sought for direction did not come during that trip. I learned, however that G-d takes our words seriously. He isn’t amused by our measuring who is or is not of value to Him and His kingdom. He doesn’t like the “Nazareth syndrome” any better than I did. You see, Someone good did come out of Nazareth.

So was I – and I had His ear.

As One Who Serves

by Delta Vines

Recently my husband and I attended a post-New Year social function put together by the company for which he works. It was a nice get together, including hors d'oeuvres, a nice meal, door prizes, a DJ, photo's, and...name tags. We soon joined up with another couple we knew. After indulging in some fruit and cheese , the four of us were directed to the room where (mandatory) photos were taken.

A very nice woman was joyfully directing us to take off our name tags and put them on our backs so they wouldn't show in the photos. Being the not-so-shy person I tend to be, I struck up a small conversation with her. It would have been a longer conversation, but Dave pulled me away as the photographer had quickly photographed the couple in front of us. Then it was off to re-join our friends and to make new ones at our table.

Before the meal, there were announcements, a blessing over the food (yes!), and then the president of the company was introduced. My jaw dropped as I saw the lady with whom I had just had the conversation in the photo room! I looked at Dave red-faced while asking the obvious: "THAT was her?" He just smiled!

Who would have thought the president of the company (and her husband) would have been engaging in a "work type" role of directing people in getting their photos taken? Warm and friendly, she was not at all stand-offish. Instead of being at the head of the line to fill a plate in the buffet line, she and her husband waited in line like everyone else. What an example of servant hood! It's easy to see why she has such a prominent position in the company.

It reminded me these words from Luke 22:

"Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves."

To be like Jesus means not thinking about vying for position in heaven. It is to serve beyond a pulpit. It's to wash feet, wipe noses, do dishes, pre-treat laundry stains, and sweep the floor. It's to laugh at your child's best (however off) attempt at humor. It's to offer comfort instead of watching your favorite TV show. It is to give of your favorite clothes to those who have none. It is to hear His voice in the cries of the broken hearted.

To be like Him is to love without boundaries - as One who serves.

Manger Signs

by Delta Vines

Christmas time is a simple time of year.  Except for the crowded stores, children’s Christmas plays and concerts at school and at church …it’s a simple time of year.  Growing up on a farm in the Missouri Ozarks kept it simple for our family.  I honestly think I was more excited about seeing all my aunts, uncles, and cousins than I was about opening gifts.  (The gifts were nice too though!).

We were a large family.  I mean – LARGE!  Nine aunts and uncles joined us as we all went to my grandparents’ home.  There was a lot of hustle as we gathered the prepared food for the table. One of my uncles would say grace before mothers began preparing plates of food for the little ones.  Usually many of my cousins and I would take the plates we prepared for ourselves into the living room where we could freely converse as we ate.  If weather permitted, a family “touch football” game would follow that afternoon in our grandparent’s yard.  Good times!

As large as our family was – it was small compared to the family of Joseph.  Augustus (formerly known as Octavian) decided to have a census of the whole Roman Empire. Quirinius was in charge of this census; with Judea being a part of his province in Syria.  The historian Josephus also records a “world wide census”, never recorded before or since. 

Each family had to register, in person, at their family’s ancestral town.  Talk about a family get together! There must have been thousands of the Ben-David family decend upon the village of Bethlehem-Ephrata all at once. Since Joseph and Mary were both of the lineage of David, Joseph definitely had to go to register.  Mary and he were pre-married, having gone through the first part of the ritual of marriage common in that time.  It was more than the engagement period of our day, more married than not.  However, they apparently had not completed the marriage ceremony as yet.  We do not know if Mary’s parents were still living at that time or not.  Regardless, Mary accompanied Joseph to Bethlehem for the census. 

Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel – an average of 4 - 5 days travel to Bethlehem by foot or caravan. Rooming with family members who already lived there was probably on a “first come-first served” basis. Being of the House of David, (Ben or bar David) in this case, was not an exceptional thing. The relatives were literally coming in from all over the country.  By the time Mary and Joseph were there, all homes and rooms in Bethlehem and the surrounding area were full.   They could have done as they had done en route – sleep in a tent or under the stars.  While they were in Bethlehem, however, Mary went into labor.*  A tent, at the very least, would be needed for privacy.  What we do know is after Jesus was born, He was swaddled in cloth and laid in a feeding trough, or manger. 

Where would this manger have been?  It could have been one out in the field, or it could have been in a stable. Many homes in towns were built with a stable underneath having separate entrances for livestock. Some homes were built atop or in front of cavern stables which would also have separate entrances. I believe it was in a stable Jesus was born.

The manger was important; especially to shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem that night. They probably encountered lots of strangers as they, too, had to register for the census in town.  It would have not been unusual for one to approach them as they were camped out.  However, it was a different thing when a man appeared and the power and glory of G-d – the Sh’khinah - enveloped all of them – not just this man. It quickly became apparent they were in the presence of one who was close to G-d.  An angel was there with an important message!  It was not a message only for kings and princes.  It was a message for all people; including simple shepherds. That day, in the town before them, their Redeemer and Messiah had been born!  Right there!  Not in Jerusalem where the Temple stood and the priests strutted about in their refinements.  It was in a shepherds town the Messiah had been born!

They would recognize Him by a simple thing:  He was swaddled, as babies were; but He would be laying in a manger.  A manger!  This was not a commonplace thing to have a newborn sleeping in a manger as some have recently been teaching.  If it were commonplace, then how could it have been a sign to the shepherds to confirm this Infant was indeed the Messiah? 

The reason the Sh’khinah had enveloped the shepherds soon became clear:  all around them were hundreds of angels – an army’s worth!  They were there, on the ground, with them, surrounding them! These angels began singing the most glorious of praise songs to G-d, and to His Messiah. Declarations of peace from G-d upon these precious, gentle people were beyond that which the shepherds could have hoped for.  What a birth announcement!   

Those shepherds probably herded their sheep into one of the stable caves nearby before heading into town, as the angel had encouraged them to do.  He had said there was a manger sign they were to seek.  Mangers would be in stables; they knew where all the buildings which had stables would be located.  It took them little time to find Mary and Joseph and the infant Jesus.  Jesus could have been lying in Mary’s arms, nursing.  Or Joseph could have been holding him in awe of this Holy thing G-d had done.  But, no.  The shepherds found Jesus just as the angel had said: wrapped snuggly and sleeping in a manger. 

Seeing the confirmation of the angel’s words before their very eyes – the shepherds told Mary and Joseph about the announcement of the birth of the Messiah. To any others who may have been nearby they also told what had happened! Imagine leaving the stable on the way back to their flock and running into one of the many registrants that He was here – the Messiah was here!  Their praises were to G-d all the more reverent because they had witnessed G-d’s manger signs.

 

*Recently, much has been made of the word “days” in Luke 2:6 “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” The argument goes that Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem for days or even weeks before she had Jesus.  Without getting too technical, the verse simply means that she was full-term and while they were went into labor. They may, indeed, have been there a couple of days before Jesus was born, given the volume of people undergoing the census. Imagine the commotion of standing in line for hours or even days to wait to register yourself and your household – many of which would contain five or more children!

Scriptures are from the Complete Jewish Bible

Luke 1:1 Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria. 3 Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y'hudah, 5 to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth; 7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters. 8 In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks, 9 when an angel of ADONAI appeared to them, and the Sh'khinah of ADONAI shone around them. They were terrified; 10 but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. 11 This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 Here is how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough." 13 Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God: 14 "In the highest heaven, glory to God! And on earth, peace among people of good will!" 15 No sooner had the angels left them and gone back into heaven than the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go over to Beit-Lechem and see this thing that has happened, that ADONAI has told us about." 16 Hurrying off, they came and found Miryam and Yosef, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. 17 Upon seeing this, they made known what they had been told about this child; 18 and all who heard were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 Miryam treasured all these things and kept mulling them over in her heart. 20 Meanwhile, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen; it had been just as they had been told.

Christmas Song

by Delta Vines

While on our way to one of the various Christmas activities last week, my hubby and I were listening to the "all Christmas music" radio station.  Within a half-hour we heard songs such as "The Little Drummer Boy", "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer", three versions of "Jingle Bells", and "The First Noel" twice.

I looked over at hubby at said "It seems there is such a lack of different songs for Christmas. I wish there were more Christmas songs about Jesus".  With a big smile he replied "Start writing."  Uh, thanks, Hon.

Later I began thinking about the idea of writing words for such a song. Putting myself in the fields in Israel, outside Bethlehem, sitting around an autumn campfire cleaning up after the evening meal.  Think of it!  Seeing the sky full of angels singing praises in honor of the arrival of the Son of G-d in the form of a baby, on earth.  Knowing that G-d's promise for thousands of years to the Hebrew of a Moschiach had come to fruition.  He was here, really here.

What about the praises I could sing to the Lord?  How could I put into words the joyfulness of the arrival of the Savior?  One who had more power than to just overthrow those who held Israel captive like the Romans.  He could overthrow death!  He could overthrow sin!  He would overthrow both sin and death restoring us to relationship with G-d.

The holiness of a time when the Son of G-d left being at the right hand of Father G-d to be the right hand of Father G-d in His most awesome plan for redemption.  He left heaven as King to become an infant in a stable.

I'm still thinking about it all. 

What about you?  Do you have words that can be your own song to Him who is worthy of more than praise?  Let your heart sing them.