Genesis 3:7, 9-11 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked?
WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED? Since God is omniscient, He clearly wasn’t trying to find out who told Adam and Eve they were naked. Rather, in asking them the question, His objective was to get them to see that this new knowledge regarding their nakedness was not from Him. If their nakedness was a problem, then He would have taken care of it from the beginning.
The just shall live by faith. For we walk by faith, not by sight (Romans 1:17b, 2 Corinthians 5:7)
So where did Adam and Eve get this new knowledge? The answer lies in verse 7: after eating the fruit their eyes “were opened”. In other words, they were able to see things they had never seen before.
Before eating the fruit (i.e., before sin) Adam and Eve were limited to God’s worldview: they saw life as God revealed it, they saw life from God’s perspective. Therefore, they appropriated God’s value-system: what God deemed important was important what God deemed trivial was trivial.
After eating the fruit (i.e., after sin), however, this changed and they now saw life through their own eyes, from their own perspectives.
To experience God’s Redemption we must relinquish our worldview/value-system and accept God’s instead. From their new perspective, the first thing Adam and Eve saw was the external. They had immediately forgotten their sin-stained internal/spiritual state. Instead of making preparations to address their fallen spiritual condition, they set about covering their external features, which previously had not been a problem! How absurd to fix what was not broken (i.e., their nakedness) and ignore what was broken (i.e., their relationship with God)!
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23
But as He did with Adam and Eve, God asks us the same question: “Where do you get the information/perspective which you use to make decisions, to run your life?”
In an unredeemed state we have no choice but to use our own knowledge/perspective to guide our lives. Without salvation we make decisions based on how wesee things. Therefore, like Adam and Eve, we approach life in the wrong way because we focus on the external and ephemeral, rather than the spiritual and eternal.
…For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b
ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect... (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Therefore, a truly redeemed life is one in which the innate sin-spawned worldview/value-system is being replaced daily with God’s redemption-enabled worldview/value-system.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
God has placed His worldview/value-system in His Word, the Bible. Therefore, the redeemed ingest Scripture eagerly and conform to Biblical instruction. The redeemed neither change nor ignore (any part of) the Bible because it does not fit into their worldview/value-system. Instead, the redeemed relinquish their value-system for God’s, never daring to trust their sight, never relying on eyes opened by sin: the Redeemed keep their focus on the spiritual and eternal by trusting God’s sight.
Genesis 3:7-11 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
WHERE ARE YOU? Obviously, God knew where Adam and Eve were, geographically and otherwise. The Omniscient God did not ask them the question to gain information. Rather, He asked them the question to make them think. And by their answers to help them and us understand the effects of sin.
He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89:26)
When God confronts us in our sinful state, He first wants us to know our spiritual location. God is unchanging and unmoving, God is our Rock.
…Ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:3b-4)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
Righteousness bound Adam and Eve to that Rock, but sin severed the bond. The first step in rescuing them (and us) was to make them aware of their position relative to God. To come to God we must first realize that we are not where we should be: that we are not in a relationship with Him: that the bond between God and us is severed and we are adrift on the seas of life.
No one comes to God before first recognizing that he/she is separated from God. This was the problem with the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They never realized that there was a Gulf between themselves and God. And so they never accepted Jesus’ offer to Bridge the gap: to make a way between them and God.
No one can be found who doesn’t know they are lost…
…Where are you?
——————————————————————————————————————- **This is the 1st installment in a series on the Origins of Redemption given in Genesis 3**
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” ~Colossians 3:1-2
“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God…” (1 Chronicles 22:19a)
But to every man there openeth,
A high way and a low,
And every mind decideth,
The way his soul shall go.
One ship sails East,
And another West,
By the self-same winds that blow,
Tis the set of the sails And not the gales,
That tells the way we go.
Like the winds of the sea
Are the waves of time,
As we journey along through life,
Tis the set of the soul,
That determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit… For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ~Romans 8:1, 5-6
A-lthough things are not perfect B-ecause of trial or pain C-ontinue in thanksgiving D-o not begin to blame E-ven when the times are hard F-ierce winds are bound to blow G-od is forever able H-old on to what you know I-magine life without His love J-oy would cease to be K-eep thanking Him for all the things L-ove imparts to thee M-ove out of “Camp Complaining” N-o weapon that is known O-n earth can yield the power P-raise can do alone Q-uit looking at the future R-edeem the time at hand S-tart every day with worship T-o “thank” is a command U-ntil we see Him coming V-ictorious in the sky W-e’ll run the race with gratitude X-alting God most high Y-es, there’ll be good times and yes some will be bad, but… Z-ion waits in glory… where none are ever sad!
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” ~ Ephesians 4:26-27
Long before it became popular, the Bible outlined a brief, but complete course in Anger Management (in the verses above). Somewhere, over the two thousand years of Christianity, much of the church adopted the idea that believers are not supposed to be angry (perhaps because of misreading of Matthew 5:22). However, this is not the case. As our verse shows, being angry is okay: as long as it does not lead to sinful action and is not maintained for a prolonged duration.
“Be ye angry”
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)
In the last fifty or so years psychologists have ‘discovered’ that it is important for people to be able to express their emotions rather than suppressing them (“bottling them up”). However, God’s Word had already revealed this truth over nineteen hundred years earlier. It IS okay to be angry, if there is a reasonable cause (Matthew 5:22). But, it is NOT okay to be easily angered (Proverbs 14:17, 29; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:32, James 1:19). It is okay to be angry at injustice; at a disrespectful child; at an abusive spouse; at a careless doctor; at an irresponsible parent; at a corrupt official. There are legitimate reasons to be angry and we need not be ashamed of anger if we remain under Gods direction and control (Mark 3:5, Acts 16:16-18).
“Sin not”
However, anger does become a problem if it leads us into sin. In other words, while angry we MUST continue to allow God to control our actions and words. God does not accept/condone uncontrolled rage (James 1:20). There are three (3) keys to avoiding sin while angry.
The first key is being angry less often. That means we have to reduce the number of things/situations that irritate or bother us (Luke 10:41). Instead of being troubled by many things, like Martha was, we should focus on the things that really matter to God, like Mary did. In other words, we must value the things God values and devalue everything else (Philippians 4:8). The waiter’s spiritual state is more important than the fly in the soup he just served. Therefore, feeding his spiritual hunger, with grace and mercy, is more important than the extra time we will have to wait to satisfy our physical hunger.
“He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.” (Proverbs 14:17)
The second key is being slow to anger (meekness) (Proverbs 14:17, 29; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:32, James 1:19). Slowness to anger means not rushing ahead of God and has to do with submitting to God’s direction/instruction (meekness). The intensity of strong emotions tends to sweep us away as we get “caught up” in a powerful current of feelings. To resist the powerful pull of strong emotions, like anger, we must first learn to “wait on God” in normal, mundane, unemotional times.
To be successful, a soldier trains diligently before entering a battle. Without training first, the soldier will (most likely) be unprepared to handle the heat of combat and triumph over the enemy. Likewise, we too must train ourselves to constantly seek Gods direction and guidance (through prayer), even in small things (“Pray without ceasing” ~1 Thessalonians 5:17). Then, when we are in circumstances that threaten to make us angry, we will be able to seek God’s guidance and wait on Him. If we are accustomed to constantly seeking God’s direction before we take action, it is more likely we will continue to do so when provoked. By constantly seeking God’s guidance (Psalm 142:2-3), allowing Him to order our steps (Psalm 37:23; Psalm 119:133) we will not be swept away by anger.
Note, we might still get angry eventually, but the point is that we won’t run ahead of God. Instead, being slow to anger buys us extra time: (1) to properly assess the situation, (2) to take an alternate course if necessary and (3) to retain control if/when we get to the point of anger. On the other hand, like driving a car, the faster we drive the less time we have to change course and the more easy it is to spin out of control. Being slow to anger protects us from losing control and careering into sin.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is … Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23)
The third key is to stay within the boundaries God imposes (temperance). Like meekness, this is an aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and is particularly useful when angry. If we routinely practice living inside the boundaries that He sets for us (in His word), we will desire to stay within them even when angry.
For example, if we normally stay away from profanity, even in our thoughts and private whispers, we are less likely to even think of cursing when we are angry. If we always practice being careful with our words we will be less likely to say hurtful words when aggravated. To be clear, practicing temperance does not make sin impossible, BUT it does make sin less likely when we are angry.
Uncontrolled rage only occurs when the basest aspects of our fleshly/carnal (unspiritual) nature controls the expression of our anger. On the other hand, when the Holy Spirit controls a believer (Galatians 5:22-23), anger is rare, anger is slow and, if it does occur, anger is well regulated.
“Let not the sun go down upon your wrath”
Anger also becomes a problem when it lasts too long. Emotions are primarily a result of circumstance. Someone cries at a particular scene of a movie because it provokes empathy within his/her soul. Once the movie ends, so do the tears, unless the person brings the scenes to mind again.
Likewise, all emotions arise from a combination of factors in a given circumstance (with the exception of mental illness). Once that combination of factors goes away, the related emotion soon disappears. This means that to prolong anger, or any other emotion, an individual must deliberately and repeatedly bring back to his/her mind the events that lead to the anger in the first place.
Anger, like any strong emotion, strains hard against the leashes of meekness and temperance. To prolong anger is to increase the likelihood those leashes will break. Furthermore, prolonging anger means maintaining our focus on the irritant(s) instead of on God.
Therefore, to avoid having the ‘sun go down’ on our anger means we must deliberately avoid recalling the incidents that stirred us up. As long as we have to deal with an aggravating situation, we need to focus on what God wants to do with it. After we have accomplished His will, we must let it go.
This approach is not “bottling up” (suppressing) our emotions; rather, this approach stops our emotions from overcoming us. For example:
“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…” (Proverbs 20:3)
When that driver cuts us off in rush hour traffic, and our blood begins to boil, we have to consider what God wants us to do in the situation. Once we have figured it out, we need to let it go (which might mean slowing down, changing lanes or even taking an alternate route).
When your husband mows over the petunias (again), after you reminded him to please be careful, express your anger wisely (being fully aware of the true value of petunias in the context of eternity) if you do become angry. But, reminding yourself (and your husband) of his careless mowing does not achieve God’s purpose if it prolongs your anger.
Likewise, when your spouse blows the budget (again), if you do become angry, remember to spend most of your efforts finding ways to overcome that recurring problem in meekness. Instead of reminding yourself of why you are justifiably angry, remind yourself to pray for your spouse’s weaknesses as well as your own weaknesses.
In other words, if we go to sleep rehearsing the anger-inducing event(s) of the day, we wake up with a strengthened negative imprint of the individual(s)/irritant(s) that angered us. And thereby we have made it that much more difficult for God to channel His love through us to the person(s) with whom we are angry. Therefore, by prolonging our anger we are giving the devil a place (a foothold) in our lives from which to influence our thinking and our actions.
Closing Thoughts
Controlling ourselves when angry is a challenge for many of us. The daily struggle with children, finances, inconsiderate drivers, poor service, etc. often drives us to the edge. But there is hope.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you…” (John 14:27a)
As we have discussed, anger management takes practice and deliberate effort. However, we should always remember that God is on OUR side. As we develop the habit of constantly communicating with Him, as we practice seeking His will in everything, as we learn to live within His hedge of protection, we will gradually learn how to draw strength from Him when we are sorely aggravated.
We CAN win the battle: God will help us to get angry less often, He will help us to stay away from sin when we do get angry, and He will help us to let it go. But, like good soldiers, we must train before we enter combat. And God will help us to do that too…. if we will spend time training with Him.
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” ~ Proverbs 16:32
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” ~ Proverbs 19:11
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
It is quite revealing to compare how much time, effort and money we spend on our outward appearance versus our heart (inward appearance). Think of how much is spent each day on preparing clothes, hair, skin, diet and physique. So much time, so much effort, so much money spent just to look good enough for those around us. How does it compare to the time and effort spent in preparing our hearts for God?
If I must have at least fifteen (15) minutes to prepare myself to go to work each day, how much time do I need to prepare my heart to serve God each day?
If I need a few hours each month to shop for clothes and toiletries how much time do I need to set aside to acquire the fruit of the Spirit?
If I workout at the gym for three hours per week, how much will I spend working the works of God?
If I need a special diet to stay healthy physically, what about preparing a special (spiritual) diet to stay healthy spiritually?
If I try to avoid fatty and sugary foods which are bad for my physical heart, will I avoid books/magazines and movies/television that are bad for my spiritual heart?
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
There is nothing wrong with looking good, physically. And neglecting one’s body is not necessarily a sign/proof of righteousness or a means to salvation. However, physical appearance does not matter to God, except that it reflects the condition of the heart (Joel 2:13). God wants us to spend less time looking in the mirror of the bathroom/hallway/purse and more time looking in the mirror of His Word so that we can see our true heart condition and ask Him to cleanse our hearts so that our hearts will be beautiful to Him (James 1:23-25).
God doesn’t care about the form of our statures; He cares whether we are conforming to the Spiritual stature of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
It’s not the cleanliness of our skin that matters; it’s the cleanliness of our hearts (Matthew 15:1-11).
It’s not the stylishness of our shoes that matters, it’s the direction of our steps (Psalm 119:133).
It’s not whether or not we eat fast food that matters; it’s whether or not we eat spiritual food (Job 23:12, Jeremiah 15:16).
It’s not our muscle to fat ratio that matters; it’s our obedience to disobedience ratio (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
It’s not the beauty of our faces that matters; it’s the beauty of our hearts (Jeremiah 17:10).
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.~1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Genesis 3:1-6 1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)
NOTES
What will you do with what you know about God’s Will/Word
Know God’s Word to know sin
Obey/Choose/Exalt God’s Word to defeat sin
CHORDS
This passage of Scripture not only tells us the root cause of sin, but also how to triumph over it. (NOTE:The fact that the woman sinned before the man sinned is inconsequential in so far as understanding the origin of sin.) It begins with the woman being confronted by the serpent while she is alone in the garden. The serpent first challenged the woman’s knowledge of God’s Word. And she resisted that initial maneuver by correctly recounting God’s instruction. The serpent then asserts (without evidence!) that God lied and that there was benefit to eating the fruit (i.e., disobeying God). Then, despite her knowledge of God’s instruction, the woman considers the appeal of the fruit and decides to eat it, because the fruit was “good for food”, “pleasant to the eyes”, and “desired to make one wise”.
In this record of the first sin, God wants us to understand the root cause of sin and how to defeat it. And so He gives us the two factors that, together, can be used to overcome sin and without which sin overcomes us: (1) Knowledge and (2) Supremacy of God’s Word.
Knowledge of God’s Word. In his effort to ensnare the woman, the serpent’s first line of attack was on her knowledge of God’s Word regarding eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If she didn’t know what God had said, then she would have little reason to resist the serpent’s suggestion. The woman passed this test because she knew what God had said about eating the fruit.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~Psalm 119:11
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ~Psalm 119:105
If ye love me, keep my commandments. ~John 14:15
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7)
Her knowledge of God’s Word enabled her to recognize sin and (initially) avoid it. Far too frequently, however, Believers slip-up because they are unable to recognize sin/error due to unfamiliarity with God’s Word. Knowledge of God’s Word opens the eyes of Believers so that they can see where to go and not stumble.
Jesus amplifies this point even further by establishing a link between keeping (i.e., knowing and holding on to) His commandments (God’s Word) and fellowship between God and man. That is, we cannot enjoy fellowship (a love relationship) with God without knowing what He says! If we intend to walk in righteousness and NOT to walk in sin, then we must know how to walk and where to walk: we MUST know God’s Word.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ~2 Timothy 3:16
Supremacy of God’s Word. Having failed in his initial attack, the serpent tries a second, more insidious tactic: he attacks God’s credibility. The serpent, in essence, challenges the notion that God cared about the woman’s interests/concerns as much as she did. The serpent asserts that the woman had more to gain by charting her own course than accepting God’s prescription. It is at this point that the woman makes the pivotal error: She decides to examine the authenticity of the serpent’s claim from her human perspective.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ~1 John 2:16
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psalm 19:8)
The woman considered the fruit’s appeal to
Her physical need (it was good for food)
Her need for pleasure (it was pleasant to the eyes)
Her need for validation/self-pride ([it was] desired to make one wise).
Though none of these human desires are intrinsically evil, they have no place in the determination of right from wrong. No decision on any matter should be made because of how well they please human desires. Instead God’ Word should be held as supreme. Rather than making God’s Word subject to our desires, we should subject our desires to God’s Word. Only God’s Word differentiates sin from righteousness.
…for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. ~Psalm 138:2b
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. ~Isaiah 55:9
However, we will only hold God’s Word as supreme when we trust that He knows what is best for us, infinitely better than we do. The serpent was successful because the woman, after reflecting on how appealing the fruit was, doubted the integrity of God and the supremacy of His Word. This is the constant struggle for every Believer: our human nature tells us that we need several things: houses, cars, husbands, wives, children, money. But, when those perceived needs are not met, can we trust God to sustain us? Or should we take matters into our own hands? Can a just and loving God withhold the things we feel we so desperately need to make our lives complete?
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. (Psalm 19:9)
When Jesus was tempted, He resolutely resisted ALL the devil’s deceptive propositions. Instead, Jesus relied on God’s Word to overcome temptation. Unlike the woman, Jesus not only knew God’s Word, but also demonstrated that God’s Word was supreme: more important than food (physical need), more important than worldly gain (need for pleasure) and more important than world acclaim (need for validation).
A Closing Word on the Serpent. Contrary to popular belief, the serpent did not trick the woman into anything. The serpent falsely accused God of lying, but that does not constitute a trick; it is just a false accusation. Notably, Scripture, does not involve the devil in its description of the sin process that takes place within a person:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ~James 1:14-15
Instead, Scripture places the responsibility squarely on the individual. The devil will try to make us fall, but we can choose to trust God’s Word (if we know it) and TRIUMPH!
CODA
Do you know God’s Word enough?
Is God’s Word more important than your feelings or your comfort?
When God’s Word in in conflict with your dreams, plans and hopes, which one wins?
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
True Love = Agape. Agape (Ag-ah’-pay) is love devoid of selfishness. It is the love with which God loves us and it is the love with which God loves others through us.
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Agape is NOT “I love you because you are my brother, my countryman, or because we share some mutually important interests”
Agape is NOT “I love you because you are the object of my physical desire, because you give (or can give) me pleasure”
Agape is NOT “I love you because you are my child, my offspring, my seed”
Agape IS “I love you because you are you, because you are God’s creation, made in His image… and that is sufficient for my love”
Agape IS “I will be your friend… and my friendship is free. If there is any price to pay… I will pay it”
Matthew 25:31-46 31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
NOTES
Actualization = Authenticity
We don’t serve those we don’t see;
We won’t serve those we won’t value
When looking for God, don’t look past your brother/sister
The Saved love others and Those who love others are Saved
CHORDS
I was a stranger, and ye took me in…
This parable concludes our study on the three characteristics of Salvation as outlined by Jesus in three parables in Matthew 25. In this parable Jesus previews mankind’s appearance before God at The Judgment; at the end of the world. In this glimpse into the future, Jesus makes clear that the sole issue that will separate the saved from the unsaved is love of the brethren. Although they are all of irrefutable importance in the church, knowledge, fervor, piety, doctrinal rectitude, etc. would not be the defining characteristic; the defining characteristic will be love. Moreover, love in action would be the key: God’s love is channeled through and revealed by the saved to (even the least of) mankind in tangible ways.
In the parable the Son of man, Jesus, returns to Judge mankind as rightful King of the universe. Figuratively, mankind is separated into two groups: Sheep and Goats. The Sheep, we are told, are the ones who did the work of love in ministering to Jesus’ brethren and their reward is to join Him in heaven. In contrast, the Goats failed to do the work of love in ministering to Jesus’ brethren and are, consequently, banished to everlasting fire with the devil.
The first point we will examine is that Jesus makes it clear that a believer’s authenticity is determined by the actualization of his/her faith. In other words, it was not enough to merely acknowledge Jesus as God; rather, that belief must be evident in the believer’s conduct, specifically in how people in need are treated. In James it is explained as follows,
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. ~James 1:27
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ~James 2:14-17
I was… Naked, and ye clothed me…
In other words, un-actualized, theoretical faith, faith that does not produce action is not faith at all. That kind of faith is not authentic. Genuine faith produces actions of love. This notion is further clarified by considering how much God loves all of mankind (John 3:16-17) and how much He is concerned with the well being of the weak, the underprivileged and the oppressed:
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow. ~Psalm 146:9
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?… Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer… ~Isaiah 58:6-7, 9a
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat…
When this special concern that God has for the disadvantaged is combined with the fact that Jesus Christ lives in the believer…
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ~Galatians 2:20
…it becomes clear that if Jesus lives in us then we MUST love our brother and share God’s special concern for the weak, the underprivileged and the oppressed. John makes the point even more succinctly:
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ~1 John 4:7-8, 11
Therefore, if our faith isn’t actualized in the work of love, then it is not authentic.
Nevertheless, it is important to distinguish doing the work of love, versus just doing a job. Simply being in a profession whose job it is to help people in need—e.g., nursing—does not automatically authenticate anyone as a Sheep. Instead Jesus was referring to acts of love motivated by the presence of God in a believer’s life.
I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink…
The next two points arising from the parable are that we don’t serve those we don’t see and we don’t serve those we don’t value. Curiously, neither the Sheep nor the Goats saw Jesus in the people they loved/served or didn’t love/serve. But the Sheep did see the weak, the underprivileged and the oppressed; and they helped them. On the other hand, the Goats apparently never saw the disadvantaged; or worse they never cared enough to help those in need that they did see. We must therefore ask ourselves two questions:
“Do I see those in need around me?”
“Do I care enough to help the helpless that I do see?”.
The first question is one of worldview: when one looks out on the world what he/she see? Attending to the problems and distractions of daily life often consumes us. So we are unable to see the needs of others because we are so preoccupied with our own—we say, “I’m in too much pain to even think about anyone else’s troubles”; “I just lost my job and the mortgage is due, I’ve got my own problems”, “Can’t stop now, I’m late for Pilates”. However, Scripture encourages us to follow Jesus’ example (Philippians 2:5-11) instead. Jesus wasn’t too distracted to see our need for salvation; He wasn’t too busy to leave His throne and rescue us in our desolation.
I was sick, and ye visited me…
The second question is about value and preference: Do I value my brethren enough to put their needs above mine? In this case the weak, the underprivileged and the oppressed are not hidden, but their worth is in question. The Goats’ answer to The LORD (vs. 44) suggests that if they had seen Him they certainly would have ministered to Him. In other words, the LORD was valuable enough for them to put their own needs and comforts aside. But their brethren were NOT valuable enough to put their own needs and comforts aside. Conversely, the Sheep—who had the same answer as the Goats—found enough value in their brethren to help them in their time of need. The Sheep were willing to help, to serve and to give to the disadvantaged, whether it was The LORD or not. When we fail to give the help we can to those we know are in need, it’s because they are not important enough to us: we don’t really love them.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another ~Romans 12:10
Jesus really wants us to understand that as we search for God, we should not look past (or over the heads of) our fellow man. Instead, our search for God, our relationship with God, if it is real, must lead us to loving our brethren. The evidence of true faith is service to others, especially the weakest among us.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ~John 13:34-35
I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Finally, Jesus reveals the third defining characteristic of salvation: The Saved love others and Those who love others are The Saved. Only those who actually, tangibly loved their brethren were saved. Love is neither theoretical nor abstract. The lover pays a price to love the loved. Jesus gave His life and thereby proved His love for us. He didn’t, and indeed couldn’t, just stay in Heaven and wish us into salvation; a price had to be paid. We too must be willing to pay any price to love our brethren; because each person has value and that value is the Blood of Christ, for that is the price He paid for each man, each woman.
CODA
Can you forget yourself long enough to find someone in need and offer help?
Is anyone you know not important enough for you to put aside some of your valuable time to help them?
Three Characteristics of Salvation, Part 2: Good Works
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7-8)
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.~ Matthew 25:14-30
NOTES
God Gives Gifts According to Ability
Work With What-Is NOT With Wish-es
Work is the product of Faith enlivened by Righteousness
The Saved are the Workers & the Workers are the Saved
CHORDS
This is the second of three parables on various aspects of salvation that Jesus gives in Matthew 25. In this famous Parable, a king leaves money with three servants while he goes on a trip. When he returns, two of his servants have increased the money they were responsible for. The third gave the king no increase because he had simply hid the money. Jesus uses this parable to show that work is the tangible evidence of salvation and that righteousness empowers faith to produce work.
As the king leaves to go on his trip, Jesus notes, vs. 15, that the servants were given responsibility according to their ability. This point is key because it shows that: (1) The Christian life is not a “free lunch” and (2) God has a job for everyone perfectly tailored to each person’s ability. This is a clear principle in Scripture:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:8-10
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ~ Ephesians 4:11-12
We are NOT saved by works, BUT we are saved (by grace through faith) to do WORK.
Furthermore, since each servant was given responsibility according to his/her ability, Jesus also removes the doubt as to whether they could manage their tasks or not. So, the only issue remaining is willingness. Since their ability to do the job was no longer in doubt, the rest of the parable focuses on their willingness to do the job. The application to our lives is straightforward: Jesus has a job for each of us to do; a job that perfectly matches our abilities. So the question is never, “CAN I do the work?”, instead it is “WILL I do the work?”.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~Eph. 2:10
Two of the three servants went to work, increasing the value of resources their master left with them, v. 16, 17. They worked with what they had available. There is no mention of whether the resources in their control were suitable or sufficient; no quarrelling that one had more or that one had less. No complaints are noted as to whether the circumstances for work were ideal or not. They simply went to work. Likewise, God has invested talents, skills, gifts in each Christian and He expects us to get to work, WITHOUT COMPLAINT; maximizing His investment (in us) for His glory.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ~1 Corinthians 3:11-14
In contrast, the 3rd servant did not go to work. Instead, he hid the resources till his master returned. He reasoned that his actions were justifiable because his master was “hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed”, v. 24. The king, however, exposed the error of the 3rd servant’s argument, by noting that it implied the servant should have increased the king’s wealth instead of maintaining the status quo, v. 27. This exchange is really the crux of the parable. It reveals that the 3rd servant failed to work for three reasons: (a) He saw the king as “hard”/mean; (b) He saw the king as unfair and (c) He saw himself as king.
First, the 3rd servant saw the king as “hard”, v. 24. In his view the king wouldn’t tolerate mistakes; any loss on the investment would be penalized. Many of us likewise see God as a harsh taskmaster who punishes every mistake. When we see God that way it makes us risk averse, like the 3rd servant, because we don’t want to “mess up” and “get in trouble” for a misstep. In so doing, however, our world narrows and opportunities to serve God pass us by. In that mindset, danger lies everywhere, waiting to jump out on us, so “don’t do this, don’t do that, don’t go there, don’t try that, JUST DON’T…! The hidden assumption is that somehow God isn’t available to protect His children (so they better protect themselves). Or, that everything that goes wrong in a Christian’s life is a punishment, so the only way to survive is to play it safe. But this is not true; God loves us and He is merciful:
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. ~Psalm 145:8
Also, things sometimes happen (Job 1-2) that we might never understand in this life, but God is still on our side.
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ~ Isaiah 43:1b-2
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work… ~John 9:4
Second, the 3rd servant also saw the king as “reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed”, v. 24. In other words, he saw the king as unfair. The idea here is that the king did not give his servants what they deserved; they did not benefit from their labor. Many of us often see God the same way: “God does not give me what I deserve”, “God is not fair”. Often we view ourselves as “working hard” for God, but not being rewarded by Him. “I did everything right, so why don’t I have a husband?” “I played by the rules, so why am I still struggling financially?” “I worship faithfully, so why is my child sick?” In fact, Asaph, the psalmist, expressed similar feelings
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. …they have more than heart could wish. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain… When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me…~Psalm 73:2-3, 5-7b, 12-13a, 16
But, through prayer, he eventually realized that God is to be trusted because He is LORD.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish… But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. ~Psalm 73: 26-28
Also, Isaiah reminds us:
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. ~Isaiah 55:9
There was still another problem for the 3rd servant. Servants in Jesus’ day did not own anything. Any increase that came as a result of their labor belonged to their master who would decide how to reward them, if they even rewarded them at all. It seems that framework was unbearable for the 3rd servant. What was in it for him? No matter how hard he worked or how successful he was, the rewards belonged to his master. He could only secure his “just” reward if he was king. The same is true for with God: it ALL belongs to Him:
The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. ~ Psalm 24:1
And He alone decides what to do with it. When we focus on ourselves, instead of God, life will always seem unfair. Freedom comes when we can accept that we are not kings; we are servants of a Master who truly loves us. Only then will we be able to freely…
…Present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. ~ Romans 12:1
Freely ye have received…
The 3rd servant’s mindset was a result of him not having a right relationship with the king. And the absence of that right relationship prevented him from doing his job; from giving his all. In contrast, it is evident that the first two servants had a right relationship with the king. Though they might also have had reservations/doubts about the king, their relationship with him convinced them that service was more important than self-preservation: it was more important to risk it all trying to serve their master than to play it safe. Their relationship with the king convinced them that, ultimately, the king could be trusted: he would reward them. As Scripture tells us:
…Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6
…freely give. (Matthew 10:8)
Salvation, by definition, brings us into a right relationship with God (Ephesians 2:13-16). The evidence of Salvation lies in our response to God. If we are saved, then we are saved “unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10). And not just any works, but those “which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”. This parable shows us that a right relationship with God (a.k.a., righteousness) allows our faith to be transformed into work. That relationship is possible when we believe God exists AND that He, justly, will reward us for serving Him, even if we make mistakes. A wrong relationship with God is defined by self-preservation rather than self-sacrifice; distrust rather than dependence; self-focus rather than God-focus, and so it produces no “good work”.
Finally, Jesus reveals an awesome truth in the parable: The Saved are the Workers & the Workers are the Saved. The 3rd servant is cast into “outer darkness”, which is a plain reference to Hell. He was not saved! The application is that the saved were those who worked (the first two servants in the parable), v. 21, 23; the servant who did no work was not saved. Clearly, Salvation is NOT by works (Ephesians 2:9). But equally true, “works” testify that salvation HAS taken place, or as James explains “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The one who is truly Saved will WORK!
Reflections in The WORD 