What the Peace of Christmas Means and To Whom it is Given

This message is primarily for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve as a Chaplain or a gospel minister in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue mission – in the United States.

All Scripture quotes are usually taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is placed within parenthesis signs (). These usually occur as direct translations from the original languages, or as notes from the original setting to help apply the text to today’s culture.

ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize words in a text, or to make a comment about a biblical text, or emphasize a statement.

As we approach the annual Christmas season, one of the many tasks that fall to facility Chaplains and other Christian volunteers, WHEN THE AUTHORITIES PERMIT IT, is the distribution of “Christmas Cards” to inmates – for the purpose of them sending the cards to their family.

This is good AS LONG AS the cards supplied by the Christian ministers accurately reflect and speak of the truly biblical message of Christmas. We should reject giving cards that celebrate Santa, and other non-biblical Christmas traditions. However, sometimes, even often, the cards classified as “religious” DO NOT reflect God’s true message. These also should NOT be given out by you or your ministry.

You need discernment and a solid understanding of the verses quoted or alluded to, in religious Christmas cards. One area that concerns me is the promotion of Christmas “Peace.” Most of the cards with this message seem to portray the idea that because Jesus was born, NOW GOD IS AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE, and that all the world now has peace with God.

One of the most quoted Christmas texts in the Bible is in Luke 2. There, in verses 13-14, the King James Version and the New King James Version read:

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN.’ ”

Unfortunately these translations although very accurate and word for word translations, were based on the later manuscript copies. Some as late as about 1000 A.D. This verse taken all by itself, lends some credibility to the idea of a UNIVERSAL ALL INCLUSIVE SALVATION AND PEACE, just because of the arrival of the Christ.

Now we have many translations that are based on the older manuscripts like:

The American Standard (1901)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace AMONG MEN IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED.

The NASB (1967) in verse 14 says:
14 … “And on earth peace AMONG MEN WITH WHOM HE IS PLEASED.” (the marginal readings say “among men of good pleasure or of good will)

The ESV
14 … “and on earth peace AMONG THOSE WITH WHOM HE IS PLEASED!”

The NIV – which is not a literal word for word translation but is based on the oldest manuscripts reads:
14 … “and on earth peace TO THOSE ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.”

The Amplified Bible tries to get the most out of the possible translation of the oldest manuscripts and says:
14 … and on earth peace AMONG MEN WITH WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED [MEN OF GOODWILL, OF HIS FAVOR]

So, all of the best translations based on the oldest manuscript copies of the God given word PUT IN A CONDITIONAL CLAUSE, which ends up meaning His peace is coming to those with whom He is well pleased and decides to show favor towards.

Hebrews 11:6 is very clear. It states, “without FAITH it is impossible to PLEASE Him (in context, God).” God is pleased with men and women who BELIEVE Him. His PEACE is reserved for those that have saving FAITH in the gospel His word presents.

So in all truth the Christmas peace promised from God that came through His messenger angels is to those who believe His gospel. That believing includes a true turning from sinful attitudes and actions, or REPENTANCE. The ability to do this is a gift from God to those who want it.

This brings me to remind you what the nature of the PEACE THAT GOD ALONE GIVES is. Just what was the meaning of the heavenly angels’ announcement “on earth PEACE AMONG MEN IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED.” ( Luke 2:14 - 1901 ASV)?

It was Jesus Himself who said to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” And then a little later “These things I have spoken to you, that IN ME you may have PEACE. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 14:27 and 16:33)

Therefore, the peace Christ was speaking about has nothing to do with the world’s thoughts on peace. The PEACE He spoke about was HIS PEACE, which means it is the peace He alone brings.

Romans 4:23 through 5:1 helps us understand further what HIS PEACE is all about.

23 Now IT (a reference to Genesis 15:6 which says: ‘he [Abram in the text] believed in the LORD, and He [the LORD] accounted it [his faith] to him for righteousness’) WAS NOT WRITTEN for his (that is Abram’s) sake alone that it (righteousness) was imputed (meaning credited) to him,
24 but also for us, it shall be imputed TO US WHO BELIEVE in Him who raised up Jesus OUR Lord from the dead,
25 who was delivered up (to death) because of our offenses (our sins), and was raised because of our justification. (literally : ‘raised up on account of the justification of us.)
1 THEREFORE, having been justified BY FAITH we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The very word translated as “peace” in both Luke 2:14 and Romans 5:1 means the tranquil state of a soul in security and safety. It is the opposite of the fear of the just judgment of God.

Why do we need peace with God? Because all humans are from conception in the womb at war with God, having inherited a sin nature from their parents. Their sinful rebellion against God is also shown by their direct acts of disobedience to Him.

This is why JUSTIFICATION or being declared righteous by God on account of our faith in His provision for our sin, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus, RESULTS IN TOTAL PERSONAL PEACE WITH GOD!

Look again at the text of Luke 2:14 IN IT’S CONTEXT: (American Standard Version - 1901) which is in verses 8-18.

8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch over their flock.
9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore (exceedingly) afraid.

They were terrified because holy angels and the very glory of God are not cute, as some Christmas cards depict, but powerful HOLY things! Show inmates verses like Matt.28:2-4, Ex. 2:16-18 and Isaiah 6:1-5; which describe fear of God’s holiness..

10 And the angel said unto them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all THE people (a definite group of people):
11 for there is born TO YOU this day in the city of David (Bethlehem was David’s home town) A SAVIOUR, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this is the sign unto you: Ye (a plural ‘you’) shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger (an animal feeding trough).
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angels) praising God, and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth PEACE AMONG MEN IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED.’
15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us NOW GO even unto Bethlehem, and SEE this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath MADE KNOWN UNTO US.’
16 And they came WITH HASTE, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.
17 And when they saw it, THEY MADE KNOWN concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child
18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.

The good news made known to the shepherds in verse 11, was that FOR THEM a Savior from sin had been born. Obviously, the angel knew these shepherds were chosen of God to be part of THE people who would be believers.

The succeeding verses show us these shepherds were BELIEVERS. Note their faith shown by their enthusiasm to GO and SEE what they believed from the angelic messengers in verse 15. Verse 16 states they did this WITH HASTE! That word “haste” means with all speed and even suggests reckless abandon.

Their faith in God’s revealed message was further demonstrated by the fact that they MADE KNOWN the truths about the child whom they believed was THEIR SAVIOR FROM SIN and therefore, THE BRINGER OF PEACE WITH GOD.

So - you as the messenger of the biblical gospel, should be announcing the terms of peace with God at all times. Especially as the words of the angels to the Bethlehem shepherds are considered. Those terms include repentance and faith as a believer in His sent Savior, Jesus Christ.

Some may ask, “But what about peace among nations and peace between individual human beings?” Once God’s peace invades and transforms a soul that soul is equipped to be at peace with others that are also at peace with God.

Internationally, that condition will not happen until Jesus comes back and reigns on earth for 1000 years. Then, the majority of those alive on earth will be believers and their governments will not sponsor open acts of hatred and war.

The Holy Spirit’s power within individual believers makes peace possible between individuals. They can experience this peace as they yield their lives to Him. The power for this peace is the God given ability to love others in His family. Note these themes in the following verses from 1 John 3:23-24,

23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

People have assurance of salvation through the power the Holy Spirit within them gives them to obey God’s commands and especially to love one another.

And from 1 John 5:1-4,
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is (lit. has been) born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is (has been) begotten of Him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is (has been) born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

In closing let me urge you to stress the fact that peace with God over the forgiveness of our sin IS MORE IMPORTANT than peace with others human beings. After all, without making peace with God, true peace with others is not possible.

This is yet another reason for getting inmates in correctional facilities the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ. He alone is the Prince that brings peace – with God and others.

Have a Peace Filled Christmas – with Jesus Christ at the Center of it All,

Rev. Rich Hines
Aurora Ministries – Minister to Chaplains
Chaplain Help Ministry

Eternal Life – Teach Inmates to be Thankful For It

This message is primarily for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve as a Chaplain or a gospel minister in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue mission – in the United States.

All Scripture quotes are usually taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is placed within parenthesis signs (). These usually occur as direct translations from the original languages, or as notes from the original setting to help apply the text to today’s culture.

ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize words in a text, or to make a comment about a biblical text, or emphasize a statement.

One of the things biblical Christians, including true inmate followers of Jesus Christ, continually ought to thank God for is ETERNAL LIFE. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John asserts that Jesus is Himself, Eternal Life.

Note this fact in 1 John 1:1-2 and I John 5:20

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the word of life –
2 the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness, and declare to you THAT ETERNAL LIFE WHICH WAS WITH THE FATHER and was manifested to us –

Hear it again in 1 John 5:20.

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This (His Son Jesus Christ) is the true God and ETERNAL LIFE.

The same Apostle tells us that THIS KIND OF LIFE is IN God - the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This fact is stated in 1 John 5:11-12. It says there:

11 And this is the testimony; that God has given us ETERNAL LIFE, and THIS LIFE is IN HIS SON.
12 He who has the Son HAS LIFE (Eternal Life); he who does not have the Son of God does not have LIFE (Eternal).

Jesus is Himself life eternal and the giver of that life to true believers. As you speak of eternal life to inmates, MAKE SURE they understand you and the Bible are talking about a DIFFERENT KIND OF LIFE than what they generally know.

Eternal life does not mean the same kind of existence they as unsaved persons, as rebellious sinners have known – just continued on and on forever.

I have had inmates tell me if THAT is what God wants for them they would rather not have it! Their existence, their biological living apart from Christ is a miserable existence. It is spiritual death, separated from this special life of God. Jesus said it best in His prayer to the Father in John 17:3

“…this IS eternal life, that they may KNOW You, the only true God, and (know) Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

So, always explain eternal life is a RELATIONSHIP with God. It is KNOWING Him personally.

This now brings me to the main text I want to speak about this month as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. It is in Titus 1:1-3, where the inspired Apostle wrote –

1 Paul a bond-servant (literally, a slave) of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, …
2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, (literally, “before times eternal”)
3 but has in due time manifested (the fulfillment of His promise through) His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

Wow! What a wonderful, mind-boggling passage! God made Paul His messenger (apostle) to proclaim the message of ETERNAL LIFE, which has a future as well as a present reality.

The use of the word “hope” in verse 2, points to the future aspect of this kind of life. It applies to an eternal experience of sharing life with God in heaven. BUT note it: - there are four other things related to ETERNAL LIFE that this passage mentions.

In logical order they are:

1. The fact that God Himself, PROMISED IT. (V. 2)
2. Furthermore, the promise of eternal life came from a God who CANNOT LIE. (V. 2)
3. Furthermore, furthermore, He promised this future eternal life to believers, BEFORE TIME BAGAN! (V. 2)
and
4. Eternal life is made available THROUGH the PROCLAMATION of HIS WORD. (V.3)

FIRST, In considering the fact that God Himself promised eternal life, it is good to point people to the truth that whatever God promises, HE ALSO HAS THE POWER TO MAKE HAPPEN. You see an example of this in Romans 4:18-21. There, speaking of the FAITH that Abraham had in God’s prior PROMISE to give him a son and make a great nation from him, it says:

18 who (a reference to Abraham), contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
19 And NOT being WEAK IN FAITH, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
20 He did not waver at the PROMISE of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
21 and being fully convinced that what He HAD PROMISED HE WAS ALSO ABLE (or, had the “power”) TO PERFORM.

Abraham believed God because He understood what God promised, no matter how seemingly impossible, God also had the power to bring into reality!

SECONDLY, the promise to believers of a future eternal life also comes from a God WHO CANNOT LIE! He is always FAITHFUL to His word. Tell them to think about that. Since God cannot lie, because He is always faithful to what He has said, His promises will always be realized - eventually.

This aspect of God’s nature also is a great aide to believing Him. Consider and teach this from Sarah’s side of receiving the fulfillment of God’s promise to her husband Abraham in Hebrews 11:11-12, which says:

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him FAITHFUL WHO HAD PROMISED.
12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The THIRD truth brought out in Titus 1:2 is that God’s promise of a future eternal life for believers was made BEFORE eternity past, literally “before times eternal.” This statement is truly beyond our full comprehension.

It is one thing to realize that an all powerful God made a promise and can therefore bring it to reality. It is even greater to know that the One making the promise is incapable of ever lying, BUT to now be told an eternal God made a promise BEFORE ETERNITY BEGAN stresses the eternal aspect of an eternal promise of eternal life from an Eternal God.

God has always existed outside of time. So we learn from Titus 1:2, that His plan to share His life with us was always outside of time. As long as God has existed, so has His PROMISED PLAN to grant believing humans His eternal life ALWAYS EXISTED.

God has always existed. He has always sought to give His life to the crown of His creation – believing mankind. This incomprehensible truth is in accord with Isaiah 55:8-9, which says –

8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “ For as THE HEAVENS ARE HIGHER THAN THE EARTH, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My THOUGHTS (higher) THAN YOUR THOUGHTS. “

Listen again to our text in Titus 1:1-3

1 Paul a bond-servant (literally, a slave) of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, …
2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, (lit. before times eternal)
3 but has in DUE TIME manifested His word through PREACHING, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

The FOURTH AND FINAL thing about eternal life, brought to focus in verse 3, is that in human time and history His Eternal Life is NOW made available THROUGH the PROCLAMATION of HIS WORD.

Of course, the “preaching” (v. 3) the Apostle Paul was referring to was (and is) the announcing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. People are saved from spiritual and eventual eternal death through a proper response to the word of God being proclaimed to them. They must hear the message, believe and obey it to be granted eternal life.

Another Apostle, Peter, said the following words to true believers in 1 Peter 1:18-23

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Those two verses contain the central kernel of the gospel message – the substitutionary death of Christ in the believing sinners place.

20 He (Christ) indeed was foreordained BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (note the eternal theme), but was manifest in these last times for you
21 who THROUGH HIM (Christ) BELIEVE in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth (by believing) through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD which lives and abides forever,

Those that are born again, or regenerated, are made possessors of eternal life as soon as they have obedient saving faith in Christ. Note Jesus’ words in John 5:24 (NASB Translation).

24 Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears MY WORD, AND BELIEVES Him who sent Me, HAS (present tense, right now) ETERNAL LIFE, and does not come into judgment (which would relate to the future), but has passed (lit. has already been passed) out of death into life.

So eternal life is the present possession of true Christians, BUT future eternal life will be in heaven and those that have it now will have it then and NOT BE JUDGED FOR THEIR SIN, because Christ already bore their judgment at the cross.

That is a LOT TO BR THANKFUL FOR! In thinking about being thankful and the possibility of obtaining eternal life, God urges sinners to repent and believe in His provision of mercy.

Again, THIS provision of forgiveness of sin and eternal life is connected to hearing and responding obediently in faith to the life-giving word of God. Note it in Isaiah 55:6-11

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked FORSAKE his way, and the unrighteous man (forsake) his thoughts; let him RETURN to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and (return) to our God, for He will ABUNDANTLY PARDON.
8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts (higher) than your thoughts.
10 “ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 SO SHALL MY WORD BE THAT GOES FORTH FROM MY MOUTH; it shall not return to Me void, but IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH what I please, and it shall PROSPER in the thing for which I sent it.

So teach inmates to seek Eternal Life in Christ, and to be THANKFUL for the provision of it from God.

In closing, I want to suggest that you challenge professing believers to come up with an acrostic of the English alphabet for at least 26 things they should be thankful to God in Christ for. BELOW IS A SAMPLE OF WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

A Christian’s Thanksgiving Alphabet: Jesus, Our God is -

ALMIGHTY - Revelation 19:6
BEAUTIFUL beyond imagination - Ezekiel 1:26-28, Revelation 1:12-18
CREATOR and COMPASSIONATE - Ps.103:22 see also Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16 / compassionate - Psalm 103:1

DELIVERER from sin, Savior - Ps.103:12 and see Matthew 1:22
ETERNAL, with no beginning or end - the word LORD includes this concept and see Ps.103:17, John 8:58

FAITHFUL and FORGIVING - Numbers 23:19, see also Heb.11:11 and Rev.3:14, 19:11 forgiving - Ps.103:3,12

GOOD and GRACIOUS - Ps.103:2,4,5,8

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (set apart by moral perfection) Ps.103:1 and see Isa.6:3
IMMUTABLE – meaning He never changes, see Hebrews 1:12 and James 1:17; also IMMENSE, beyond infinity yet INTIMATELY INVOLVED with His creation - Jer.23:23,24
JUST and fair, will JUDGE rightly - Psalm 103:6, Psalm 96:10 with Acts 17:31
KING over everything - sovereign in control and KNOWS everything - in the word LORD, Ps. 18,19,22 and Ps.103:14 and LOVING - Ps.103:4 see also 1 John 4:8
MERCIFUL - Ps.103:8,17 and Ps.103:13
NEVER TIRED, (He cannot be depleted in strength after exerting Himself) - Isaiah 40:28, Heb.

OMNIPRESENT, always present everywhere (by His Spirit) - Psalm 139:7-12
PATIENT, longsuffering with us - Ps.103:8,9
the QUENCHER of our spiritual thirst - John 4:13,14 and John 7:37,38
RIGHTEOUS and REDEEMER (the One who pays to set us free from sin)- and Ps.103:4,6

SELF-REVEALING and the only SUSTAINER - Ps.103:7 and Ps.103:3,5
TRUTH, ultimate reality - John 14:6
UNCHANGING, always the same - Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8 and James 1:17
VICTORIOUS over His enemies, over sin and death - 1 Cor. 15:26,55-57
WEALTHY - Psalm 24:1, Philippians 4:19
the X-RAYer of hearts - John 2:24,25 and Hebrews 4:12,13
One who YEARNS for our fellowship - Luke 19:10
One who ZEROS in on the smallest details in our life - Matthew 10:29-31

Rich Hines
Aurora Ministries – Minister to Chaplains
Chaplain Help Ministry

Don’t Just Give them Baby Food

This message is primarily for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve as a Chaplain or a gospel minister in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue mission – in the United States.

All Scripture quotes are usually taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is placed within parenthesis signs (). These usually occur as direct translations from the original languages, or as notes from the original setting to help apply the text to today’s culture.

ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize words in a text, or to make a comment about a biblical text, or emphasize a statement.

Dear Chaplains or gospel ministers, I want to begin this month’s message by saying I have often been told by Chaplains and other people: “with this segment of the population you can’t ever get very deep. You must only give them the very basics of the milk of the word because they cannot understand the deeper things of the Bible.”

I respectfully DISAGREE. I do not think any chaplain or Christian discipler has “fulfilled” their ministry as they are exhorted to in 2 Tim. 4:1-5, by JUST GIVING THEM BABY FOOD!

Furthermore, I believe God REQUIRES those that minister to inmates and rescue mission residents to give them the whole counsel of God, or as Jesus Himself put it in Matt. 28:20, “teaching them (those that are converted disciples) to observe ALL THINGS that I have commanded you; …”

Consider the first letter (epistle) to the Thessalonians. According to Acts 17:2, the Apostle Paul was only with them LESS than a month! Yet, in writing back to those new believers, just a few months after their conversion, he spoke about the following biblical doctrines, WHICH HE HAD ALREADY TAUGHT THEM DURING THEIR FIRST FEW WEEKS AS CHRISTIANS.

1. The Triunity of God (1:2-5)
2. Election (1:4)
3. The return of Christ – eschatology (1:10; 5:1-11)
4. Their responsibility to evangelize (1:8-9)
5. Persecution (2:2,14; and 3:4)
6. Divine judgment and the wrath of God (2:15-16)
7. Holy living, practical sanctification (2:10-12; 3:12-4:3 and 5:23-24)
8. Satan’s schemes against Christians (2:18)
9. Prayer (2:13 and 5:25)
10. Spiritual parenting (2:7-8, 11)
11. Work ethics (2:9 and 4:11-12 also compare 2 Thess. 3:6-12)
12. Believers physical death and the resurrection and the rapture (4:13-18)
13. Christian love in action, edifying one another (4:9-10)
14. False teachers and what to look for in a truly godly leader (2:1-8)

Also consider this fact: the letter to the Romans was written to brand new Christians! Romans contains some of the deepest concepts in all the Bible. Among the teachings in Romans are many things relating to future glory. Note it in chapters 8 and 11.

It was the Apostle Peter who said in 2 Peter 3:15-16, “our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, (What things? The near context in 2 Pet. 3 has to do with end time events) IN WHICH ARE SOME THINGS HARD TO UNDERSTAND,”

Before I proceed, I want to make sure you understand that I am NOT SAYING speak over their heads or use difficult theological words – WITHOUT DEFING THEM. That would violate the principle of 1 Cor. 14:9 (“… unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken?”).

Having restated what God has said about giving the whole of His word to His children, I want you who minister the gospel of Christ to now consider TWO THINGS. They are, the DANGERS INDICATED to those who cannot take deeper Bible teaching, AND the issue of PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION.

1. I want you to look at some passages of Scripture that indicate the DANGERS indicated to any person or persons that simply “can’t take the deeper things of the word.”

First, consider Hebrews 5:10-14.

10 … called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”
11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk (which is to say, baby food) and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

A key to understanding this passage is to understand the phrase “dull of hearing.” The word dull is equal to slow, sluggish, indolent, or languid AND it also carries the idea of stubbornness. As used in this passage it refers to professing believers that do not want to grow in their understanding of God’s word. They do not want to put forth any effort to understand Him.

There are two dangers to persons showing this attitude. The first is that it might indicate they are in fact not genuine and are still UNSAVED. This would be in step with the warning sections in Hebrews where readers are challenged to make sure their professed faith is real saving faith

The second would be even if they are truly saved, they are IN THE SIN OF QUENCHING THE INDWELLING Holy Spirit. After all – He would urge them towards the very words He breathed into the ancient writers of Scripture.

On the other hand, it is a sign of true salvation when anyone has a deep craving hunger for the word of God.

Psalm 1 makes that fact abundantly clear. In verse 2 it says of the saved for whom heaven is reserved, “his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (v.3) But it also says in verse 4, “The ungodly are NOT SO,”

Next, look at 2 Peter 3:18.

18 … but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God wants all of His true children to grow spiritually. I made that point in last month’s message on 1 John 2:12-14. A true believer cannot grow in grace apart from a deepening KNOWLEDGE of God’s word.

For a true believer to not be constantly going deeper into God’s word, the third clear danger is a LACK OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH. Along with that fact, look with me at 2 Peter 1:5-10, which says:

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to (lit. “in”) your faith virtue, to virtue KNOWLEDGE,(of God’s word - I say that because of verse 4 which spoke of God’s promises in His word)
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For IF these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and HAS FORGOTTEN THAT HE WAS CLEANSED FROM HIS OLD SINS.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

So a fourth danger in regard not be getting the meat of God’s word AND APPLYING IT - is A LACK OF ASSURANCE THAT THEY ARE FOGIVEN. That will also make any true Christian ineffective for ministry.

Lastly let’s look at 1 John 2:18-26, which says:

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, EVEN NOW MANY ANTICHRISTS HAVE COME, by which we know that it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but THEY WERE NOT OF US; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that NONE OF THEM WERE OF US.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.
23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
26 These things I have written to you CONCERNING THOSE WHO TRY TO DECEIVE YOU.

There is much that should be taught from this passage, but here a fifth clear warning to those Christians (and to those that are false professors to being Christ’s followers) that don’t pay serious attention to deeper Bible teaching is IT WILL MAKE THEM SUSEPTABLE TO FALSE TEACHERS - AND THEIR HERESIES.

So in all, at least five dangerous conditions, are indicated for those that don’t want the whole of God’s word.

1. It may indicate they are still in their sins and not yet saved
2. If saved, it means they are quenching the desire of the Holy Spirit. That is sin.
3. They will not be growing spiritually. This also is in disobedience to the Holy Spirit.
4. If they are saved, they will lack the assurance of it. AND:
5. They make themselves easy prey for satanic false teachers and man-made religions.

2. Now, l want you to also consider the ISSUE OF PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION.

It is clear from Scripture that there is no such thing as salvation that does not produce some sanctification HERE AND NOW – IN THIS LIFE. There are many places that teach us that - but 1 John is certainly one of them.

The Apostle John was moved by the Spirit of God to make obedience to God’s commands, a growing righteousness or practical sanctification - ONE OF THE TESTS OF ETERNAL LIFE. You see it in 1 John 2:3-6; then again in 2:28-3:10a; and in 3:22-24. Even one last time in 5:2-3 it is mentioned.

Looking briefly at of one of the passages I just referenced in 1 John 2:28 – 3:3, we read:

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who PRACTICES RIGHTEOUSNESS is (literally, ‘HAS BEEN’) born of Him.
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3 And EVERYONE WHO HAS THIS HOPE in Him PURIFIES HIMSELF (literally, ‘keeps on purifying himself’), just as He is pure.

This passages centers on two things: the return of Jesus Christ in glory (2:28 and 3:2) and practical sanctification (2:29 and 3:3). It teaches the proof of having received salvation and being born of God is practicing righteousness or said another way, seeking moral purity.

The Spirit of God, who indwells the true recipient of His grace at the point of salvation, creates a deep desire for this righteous purity. He even enables the believer to say “No!” to temptation and sin.

Christ’s glorious return is the motive to live in purity, because no true child of God wants to be ashamed when He appears. The question then to ask is, just HOW do they keep on purifying themselves on a daily basis?

They have to be cleansed by a constant input of the word of God. Psalm 119:9-11 and John 17:15-17 are just two passages that make this clear.

Psalm 119:
9 How can a young man CLEANSE his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might NOT SIN against You.

John 17: (Jesus is here praying to the Father about His true saved ones)
15 I do not pray that You should take them (believers whom the Father gave to the Son) out of the world, but that You should keep (or, guard) them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 SANCTIFY THEM by Your truth. Your WORD is truth.

Then, about a week later, Jesus told His church leadership what we see in Matthew 28:

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, …
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 TEACHING THE TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS that I have commanded you; …”

This applies to all Christian pastors today. This applies to Chaplains and volunteers that bring inmates the gospel. Your THOROUGH TEACHING OF BIBLE DOCTRINE is what the Spirit will use to help sanctify and protect them! Don’t neglect your responsibility, even though some may tell you NOT to teach the deeper things of the word to inmates.

Remember what Hebrews 12:14 says.

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

This verse is not speaking about the perfect holiness that will be experienced in a believer’s new glorified body in heaven. It is speaking about the continual chasing after purity and holiness in the nasty here and now, even when doing time in jail or prison.

The desire (given by the Holy Spirit) to catch up to Christ’s perfect holiness is shown by chasing after it now. It is another indication of the possession of true salvation. That desire in the Christian inmates’ hearts will increase as you and others are consistently faithful to teach them the word of God.

Rich Hines
Aurora Ministries – Minister to Chaplains
Chaplain Help Ministry

1 John 2:12-14, Pray for Spiritual Fathers

This message is primarily for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve as a Chaplain or a gospel minister in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue mission – in the United States.

All Scripture quotes are usually taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is placed within parenthesis signs (). These usually occur as direct translations from the original languages, or as notes from the original setting to help apply the text to today’s culture.

ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize words in a text, or to make a comment about a biblical text, or emphasize a statement.

In terms of spiritual maturity there are different groups, or better stages - in the biblical Christian’s journey through life here and now. 1 John 2:12-14 mentions at least three or four of those stages.

The New American Standard Bible in 1 John 2:12-14 reads:

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one I have written to you children, because you know the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

The Apostle spoke about little children, children, young men and lastly, fathers. First he says he is now presently writing each group and then he says he has, in the past, written them. He expects each group to move forward to the next stage of growth. Sadly, there are believers that never grow out of the baby, or newborn stage.

“Little children” are newborns. The word in verse 12, literally means “born ones.” They are spiritual infants. The one thing they are learning is that they are forgiven because of their relationship to Jesus Christ.

“Children" is a word that speaks of school age kids. They are under the discipline of teachers. They have learned something about being God's true child and of His fatherly care for them. They know they have been forgiven, but more they are in the process of growing up and focus on God as their teacher. This may be the same stage as the new born ones because of the structure of the writing (I am writing, then - I have written)

“Young men” are those who have advanced spiritually to the point that they have won some victories over Satan's temptations through a knowledge of God's word. They are not as weak as they were when they were newborn or like school age kids.

They have gotten strength from learning biblical truth. They are strong doctrinally and put their knowledge of God’s truth to work in combating false teachings.

But spiritual fathers have grown even further in their relationship with God to the point that they have known the deeper things of the eternal God. They know by deep experience the One who already “has been” at the beginning of time, which He also created.

They are intimate with the God that always existed before time began! They are in step with His ways.

Spiritual growth depends on three things, knowledge of the word of God; plus time; plus trials with obedience. It is putting our faith in what God has said to us consistently into action over a period of time, and coming through the trials that time in a sinful fallen world and a society, heavily influenced by the devil attacks us with, SUCESSFULLY.

Let me give you an example of a man I consider an example of a spiritual father. At a weekly prayer meeting I have been attending since our move to Washington, I have met a man who has fought cancer for many, many years.

In addition to that dread disease, he has two other debilitating physical problems. Any of the three can kill his body. He lives with the immanence of physical death. Sometimes he is so weak he cannot even get out of bed. When he is not there, his dear wife attends and shares with the group his latest physical trial.

What's different about this man when he is there is that HE NEVER HAS ASKED PRAYER FOR ANYTHING HE IS SUFFERING PHYSICALLY. Some of you dear ministering chaplains do share prayer requests with me about your ministry and I in turn ask this group to pray for those needs. This physically suffering believer faithfully prays for those requests and our ministry to you.

Recently, we were praying and he was present. There were many prayers being offered for different people's physical maladies, but when this man finally opened his mouth to pray, this is what he said: "Oh God, You are beautiful on Your throne ..." he went on to simply worship the Eternal Lord God, out loud, for many moments.

He never prayed for his own suffering to be ended. That touched me deeply. To listen to this dear believer pray, you almost feel like you don't even know God - when you compare your own anemic prayers to his. So, the next week I phoned him to tell him what a blessing he was to me. Then, he said about his life and incredibly hard trials, "I don't want to ever dishonor Him."

Another way of stating that would be - "My one heart’s desire is to never diminish God's glory through my problems." This is a man who truly walks in the fear of the LORD. This is a spiritual father. He is a true prayer warrior also. I pray your male inmates have someone like this also in their midst.

Pray for a lifer that walks close to God. He will be the living breathing example of Christ and the faith in Him your inmates need to see in action.

When inmates ask for prayer it is usually in regards to their case or the alleviation of their present suffering. If that’s all they ever pray for, it indicates spiritual infancy OR WORSE. It could be a symptom of not really being born of God.

The religious but lost are the most tragic people in all the world. To people like that Jesus said in Luke 11:35 “Take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.”

Those who truly are God's redeemed and adopted children, though inmates, must constantly be urged by you and your staff to grow in Christ. I say that knowing if they are saved, the resident Holy Spirit within them will urge them the same way - IF THEY ARE IN THE WORD. At the same time, you are there to teach them the right way. As they mature they will be more concerned with God than self.

Again, all our text says about spiritually mature “fathers” is that they know Him who has been from the beginning. They know the God who created time and everything else, and they know Him intimately. Before the beginning of time He already was! He is the Eternally Self-Existent One.

There are at least three things that are true of those that have grown up to this father stage in Christ. These things flow out of their deep and intimate experiential knowledge of God.

1. Because they have a deeper understanding of how GREAT God is, THEY ARE HUMBLE.

2. Because they understand that He wants fellowship with them, THEY WALK WITH GOD.

3. Because they have an intimate knowledge of God’s attributes, THEY EXHIBIT TO SOME DEGREE THE “COMMUNICABLE” ATTRIBUTES OF GOD.

Those attributes are His character traits that He shares and wants His true children to display and live out. Things like: holiness, love, truth, faithfulness, righteousness, justice, patience, mercy and graciousness.

The Apostle Paul was a spiritual father. He could honestly and rightly say to other believers things like “Imitate (or, mimic) me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1).

In 1 Cor. 4:15-16 he said, “”though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ (and those instructors would be spiritual “young men”), yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”

At first glance, it might seem that Paul was only claiming to be their spiritual father BECAUSE he brought them the gospel and they came to life under that ministry. What makes me believe there’s more to it than that is verse 16, “Therefore, I urge you, IMITATE ME.”

I also think the Apostle John was at the same level of spiritual growth, for when he wrote he often spoke about the eternal God, note John 1:1-2 and 1 John 1:1. He wrote of Jesus’ eternality in his gospel - see also John 1:30 and John 8:56-58

A Christian that has grown up to true spiritual fatherhood is the best example any other prisoner can ever have.

It could be a full time Chaplain, or another inmate or dare I even think it, possibly a corrections officer!

Of these three options, the best by far would be a fellow inmate. This is so because the other prisoners would have a living breathing example of one in their same circumstances whose life in Christ would be a great encouragement to them.

Such a man would probably have come to Christ either before or during the start of his long, long sentence.

Possibly, he would be in prison as a man serving a life sentence. But by God's grace, through His word and with the power of His Spirit to overcome many trials and temptations that come with prison life, he has grown so close to God he is in the category the Apostle John refers to in 1 John 2:13-14, a spiritual "father."

PRAY THAT YOUR INMATES GET EXPOSED TO THIS KIND OF CHRISTIAN!

Now, considering again the passage in 1 John 2:12-14, remember that John said he had written in the past and that he was now writing these spiritual fathers. The question is what was he referring to? What had he previously written and what was he now writing?

The best understanding is that the former writing refers to the fourth gospel and the present writing to this epistle. All of God’s word is to be fed on by God’s people. What’s interesting is the same passage will be milk to one and deep meat to another. Both will grow closer to the Lord the more they meditate on and do what God says.

All of the same principles apply to female prisoners. For them the greatest need next to true salvation is to see and imitate a godly WOMAN.

No, the Bible does not ever reference spiritual “mothers,” but it is full of the exploits and examples of godly women who more often than not, quietly glorified God with a meek and quiet spirit and a living faith in Him!

So, what’s my point. It should be God’s point! The point the Spirit of God makes through the Apostle John in 1 John 2:12-14, is that whatever stage of spiritual growth the believer is they should continue to read and understand and apply to their life the Scriptures so that they may grow. You should want to become a spiritual “father.” The inmates need that kind of example. Are you growing spiritually? That’s part of your ministry responsibility!

None of us can ever spend too much time with the Lord getting to know and understand Him better. After it’s all said and done our ministry to others MUST FLOW OUT OF AN OVERFLOW OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

Rich Hines
Aurora Ministries – Minister to Chaplains
Chaplain Help Ministry

Dealing With the Current Issue of “Racism” – Part 2

This message is primarily for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve as a Chaplain or a gospel minister in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue mission – in the United States.

All Scripture quotes are usually taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is placed within parenthesis signs (). These usually occur as direct translations from the original languages, or as notes from the original setting to help apply the text to today’s culture.

ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize words in a text, or to make a comment about a biblical text, or emphasize a statement.

Last month I began a two-part message to try to help you deal with the sin of ethnic hatred. I went over the first two of four points. I spoke about God as Creator and how He sees each ethnic or racial group which He has made. Then, I spoke about the biblical teaching on how men ought to forgive one another.

This month I want to address the FEAR factor first, and then what I consider the most basic contributor to the sin of ethnic hatred, PRIDE.

Dealing with FEAR as a contributor to ethnic hatred -

Ten years ago a movie about a High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, forced to integrate in 1971, was released. The movie starred Denzel Washington as the coach. It was titled: “Remember The Titans.” This film is shown quite a bit on television now and probably a high percentage of the inmate population has seen it.

The story showed how some were able to overcome the racial separation between black and white players. In one crucial scene, the white All-American linebacker confessed to his new best friend, a black defensive end, that at first he had been “AFRAID OF” him.

Fear of people from a different culture due to lack of understanding, or due to a past history that makes one group think the other might want to get back at them, has been used by man’s arch enemy (the devil) to fan the flames of racial hatred. In response to that, I want to look at a few passages that will equip you to overcome this kind of fear of others and in turn teach the same thing to the inmates.

To begin, we all must overcome our fear of other people. If we do not, trying to appease them so that they might not hurt us will lead us into a greater trap and even into sin. Proverbs 29:25 says: "The FEAR OF MAN brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."

Additionally, Revelation 21:8 says:
8 “But the COWARDLY (the KJV, the 1901 ASV, and the Darby Translation use the word FEARFUL), unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

The word here translated "cowardly" or "fearful" comes from a root word meaning dread. Dread is the kind of fear that worries about what could happen in the near future. The mind of the fearful coward worries, “What will they do to me IF I don’t join them or do what they tell me to do?” The end of Rev. 21:8 describes eternal death in hell fire. Those condemned to go there because they were cowardly are going to be sentenced that way BECAUSE their cowardly fear of men, made them knuckle under and join those that oppose God.

It’s like being under the threat, “Deny Jesus Christ or die!” and so, because of that threat, someone went ahead and denied Christ. They joined in with the temporarily powerful Christ haters. A different form of the SAME WORD used for "cowardly" in Rev. 21:8 IS USED in 2 Timothy 1:7, where it says:
7 For God has not given us (true believers in Christ) a spirit of FEAR (dread, cowardice, timidity), BUT (implied : He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of a sound mind.

This statement was originally given to a Christian man that was afraid of people. Timothy wanted to shy away from being bold for Christ BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID OF PERSECUTION FROM THEM. Instead of giving into that fear, he was encouraged to look to the power, love and self-control he could have from the indwelling Holy Spirit!

There’s more to learn on this. Instead of fearing what other people might do to us, we ought to show God’s love to other people.

In Matthew 7:12 in the New American Standard Bible, Jesus taught His followers to “treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” This teaching has been called “The Golden Rule.” It sums up the Old Testament teaching on our responsibility to others.

Later in His public ministry in Luke 6:27-38, He taught -
27 “ …I say to you who hear: LOVE your enemies, DO GOOD to those who hate you,
28 BLESS those who curse you, and PRAY FOR those who spitefully use you.
29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, OFFER the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, DO NOT WITHOLD your tunic either.
30 GIVE to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods DO NOT ASK them BACK.
31 (from the NASB translation) Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

Verse 31 is a summary statement. This command focuses on the future, yet the actions of those described in verses 27-30 can include what has already been happening in the past.

They have hated, cursed, spitefully used, struck and taken from the believers. In fact, they still may be in the process of those bad attitudes and actions. YET, the believer is COMMANDED to do good to them, to bless and pray for them. They are to give to them. They are to treat them with the same care they wish to be treated with, regardless of how they have been treated.

By application to those that are in dread and afraid of another group, the same loving treatment towards that group is always the right thing to do. When you teach this to inmates, they will naturally protest in this way: “If we do that, then they’ll think we are weak and they will take advantage of us.”

Your answer to that kind of reaction (whether it is stated or not, it is thought about) should then be given from verses 32-38. God is good even to evil doers, but God is NOT WEAK!
Note that in these verses there are those described as “sinners,” and those called the “sons of the Most High (God).” There are two groups in view.
32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even SINNERS do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even SINNERS lend to sinners to receive as much back.35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will (prove to) be SONS OF the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 Therefore, be merciful, JUST AS your Father also is merciful.

Now note the PROMISES from Jesus in verses 37-38:
37 Judge not, and YOU SHALL NOT BE JUDGED. Condemn not, and YOU SHALL NOT BE CONDEMNED. Forgive, and YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN.
38 Give, and IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, IT WILL BE MEASURED BACK TO YOU.”

In addition to these verses directing us to love others we might fear, I want to give you a list of verses that teach us NOT TO FEAR MEN. But first, we need to be taught to fear God. Proverbs 14:27 says:
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.

Connected to the fear of God, Jesus taught us NOT to fear men. See Luke 12:4-5.
4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell (God); yes, I say to you, fear Him!”

Then, there is Psalm 27:1
“The LORD is my light and my salvation: Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life: Of whom shall I be afraid?”

And Psalm 118:6
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

IF the LORD God is our salvation, IF He is on our side and IF He is our helper – there is no reason to be afraid of what men might do to us.

Now, I want to look at the sin of PRIDE, and show how it relates to ethnic hatred.

I believe the sin of pride is the most common contributor in racial hatred. One person or group says in their heart, "I AM BETTER THAN THEM!" or, "WE ARE SUPERIOR TO THEM." I want to point out three notable racists and show the link between their ethnic hatred and their pride. In chronological order they were: Charles Darwin, Margaret Sanger and Adolf Hitler.

Adolf Hitler was not the first man that believed in a master race. He borrowed that ideology from Charles Darwin. Strict evolutionists avow the idea of survival of the fittest and a master race. Both Darwin and Hitler saw the dark skinned people of the world as a sub-human species that needed to be wiped out. Of course Hitler hated the Jews most of all, but they weren’t the only ones he united the proud German people against. Both Darwin in the 19th century and Hitler in the 20th century were also known for their proud arrogant words.

The celebrated feminist, Margaret Sanger, was openly a racists. She started Planned Parenthood, which fully supported abortion as a way to lower or get rid of the black population in America. These are little known facts but are backed up by printed quotes. Notice the pride and arrogance in what she wrote in 1926 when she argued that birth control clinics, or bureaus, should be established:

“In which men and women will be taught the science of parenthood and the science of breeding.” For this was the way “to breed out of the race the scourges of transmissible disease, mental defect, poverty, lawlessness, crime ... since these classes would be decreasing in number instead of breeding like weeds”

Pride is also revealed when we can't stand someone else looking better or achieving more than we do. Pride is often behind jealousy and envy. Jealousy wants what another has, but envy simply does not want THEM to have it. Envy is an emotion of anger or a feeling of irritation because someone we wrongly think we are better than, got something we wanted. That's a manifestation of pride.

Like the sin of murder, the sin of pride comes from the devil. Before he fell, Lucifer was not satisfied with what God had designed him to be. He wanted to be the tip top being in all the universe. That is the quintessential attitude of pride.

Note it in Isaiah 14:12-14.
12 How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are you cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart; “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God (a poetic way of referring to the angels); I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”

In Ezekiel 28:17 we read about the reason God said this anointed cherub (Ez. 28:14) fell. In the English Standard Version, the LORD said to him:
17 “Your heart became proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground (or, down to the earth)”

Pride brings those who nurture it down. Proverbs 16:4-5 says,
4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

Jesus told the Pharisees “You are OF your father, the devil.” (John 8:44). They demonstrated their true relationship to their spiritual father, the devil, by being overcome with pride just like Lucifer who became Satan.

Note and show the inmates the Pharisees’ pride in passages like –

Luke 18:9-11
9 Also He (Jesus) spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, AND DESPISED OTHERS. (That’s pride)
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or EVEN AS THIS TAX COLLECTOR.”

In John 9, there was a confrontation with the Pharisees. They are mentioned by the name of their sect in verses 13, 15-16 and 40. Elsewhere in the narrative of John 9, they are simply called “the Jews.” Their pride comes out in their arrogant statement in verse 34

34 They (the “Pharisees,” or, “the Jews”) answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, AND ARE YOU TEACHING US?”

Additionally, here is a brief list of SIX things that the Bible relates to pride:

1. Proud people are un-teachable. Look again at John 9:34. Look at some of the history of the Israelite nation recounted in Nehemiah 9:16,17; 28-30
16 But they and our fathers ACTED PROUDLY, hardened their necks, and did not heed Your commandments.
17 They refused to obey, …
28 But after they had rest, they again did evil before You. Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,… many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,
29 And testified against them, that You might bring them back to Your law. YET THEY ACTED PROUDLY, AND DID NOT HEED YOUR COMMANDMENTS, …
30 Yet for many years You had patience with them, and testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets, YET THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN; …

2. Proud people must have things their way – again note it in the example of the Pharisees in John 9:22, 34 and 12:42
22 His parents said these things BECAUSE THEY FEARED THE JEWS (a reference to the Pharisees in that passage), for the Jews had AGREED ALREADY THAT IF ANYONE CONFESSED THAT HE (Jesus) WAS CHRIST, HE WOULD BE PUT OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE. ….
34 … And they (the Pharisees) cast him out (of the synagogue).

John 12
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, BUT BECAUSE OF THE PHARISEES they did not confess Him, LEST THEY SHOULD BE PUT OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE.

The proud Pharisees resorted to INTIMIDATION TO GET THEIR OWN WAY!

3. Proud people imagine wrong things. See. Isaiah 9:9-10,
9 All the people will know— Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria— who say in pride and arrogance of heart:
10 “ The bricks have fallen down, but WE WILL REBUILD with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but WE WILL REPLACE them with cedars.”

And look at Luke 1:51,
51 “He (the Lord) has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered THE PROUD IN THE IMAGINATION OF THEIR HEARTS.”

4. Pride takes the true God out of our thoughts - Psalm 10:3-4
3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD.
4 The wicked in HIS PROUD COUNTENANCE DOES NOT SEEK GOD; GOD IS IN NONE OF HIS THOUGHTS.

5. Pride causes people to lie.

Psalm 31:18
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, which (lying lips) speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Psalm 59:11-12
11 … Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken IN THEIR PRIDE, and for the cursing and lying which they speak

Psalm 119:69
69 The proud have FORGED A LIE against me, …

6. Pride deceives people - Obadiah 3, "The pride of YOUR heart HAS DECEIVED YOU,"

Self-deception is the worst kind of deception. Obadiah 3 speaks of the source of deception being one’s OWN HEART. If one is deceived from within, there is little hope of them EVER embracing the truth!

Prov. 26:12 says: “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Wow! It is BETTER to even be a fool than to be self-deceived by pride.

In conclusion, as you deal with PRIDE as a contributor to ethnic hatred -

LEARN and TEACH from 1 Corinthians 4:6-7. It is a key passage in dealing with pride, especially as it relates to thoughts of ethnic superiority and racial hatred. Note verses 6-7,
6 Now these things (about parties and factions), brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, (so) that you may learn in us (from our example) not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up (arrogant – the expression of pride) ON BEHALF OF ONE AGAINST THE OTHER.

Another translation renders the final phrase of verse 6: “that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over another.” Paul was correcting the proud Corinthians penchant for favoring one teacher over another, but that is also how pride feeds racism. It FAVORS one ethnic group OVER ANOTHER.

Verse 7 asks three great questions intended to make the reader THINK!

7 For who makes you differ from another? And WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT YOU DID NOT RECEIVE? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (implied – ‘as if you had gained it by your own efforts)

WHO makes me different from any other person? ANSWER: God. WHAT do I have that I did not receive (implied as a gift)? Answer: NOTHING! Now that truth runs counter to everything we’ve been taught by the world, so it is COUNTER TO OUR OWN PERSONAL PRIDE!

The text here is designed to make the reader think further. What do I have in the way of inherent abilities and strengths and WHO gave those things to me? The answer again is GOD, MY CREATOR and SUSTAINER.

The third question in verse 7 really hits the pride target – bull’s-eye! WHY do I ever boast AS IF I THROUGH MY OWN SUPERIORITY ACHIEVED ANYTHING? The message then, from God through His word is this: Do not think you are better than anybody else. Rather, praise God for who He is and for what He has done for you AND RESPECT WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE’S MADE OTHERS TO BE!

By respecting those of a different ethnic group, we show our humble respect for their Creator – whom WE MUST FACE AS OUR JUDGE. He will judge the sin of ethnic hatred (for believers He already has). For those that have been guilty of this sin, THERE IS forgiveness, cleansing and a real change that causes us to love them. BUT, this is ONLY in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior from sin through His cross where He bore the sin of racism for the guilty.

Rich Hines – Aurora Ministries, Chaplain Help Ministry Director

Dealing With the Current Issue of “Racism” – Part 1

This message is primarily for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve as a Chaplain or a gospel minister in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue mission – in the United States.

All Scripture quotes are usually taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is placed within parenthesis signs (). These usually occur as direct translations from the original languages, or as notes from the original setting to help apply the text to today’s culture.

ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize words in a text, or to make a comment about a biblical text, or emphasize a statement.

Dear Chaplains or correctional and rescue ministers, this month I want to again address the problem and issue of ethnic hatred. It is commonly called: “Racism” or “Racial tension.” Whatever it is called - it is sin.

I personally think the government and the media’s emphasis on “Diversity,” rather than helping - has contributed to the problem. If American leaders really want unity at any level, they ought to emphasize what we have in common - not what makes us different.

I have dealt with this issue at least twice in the last 114 Chaplain’s Corner messages (in March 2001 and April, 2003). However, the current climate in America and more specifically - in places of incarceration, has made this particular sin a hot issue. In other words, there is an ongoing increase of this problem in our society right now.

I know many people (adults 30 years old and upwards) who have said to me that they feel racial tensions are worse now than ever before in their own lifetime. When you look at this problem biblically, at least four issues are contributing factors: bad theology, a lack of forgiveness, fear and pride. I will deal with the first two of those four in this month’s message and then Lord willing, next month with the fear of other people, and pride.

CORRECTING BAD THEOLOGY:

Wrong thoughts of God are idols made up by men’s minds. As you teach inmates and others you need to start with God as the Creator and Designer of each and every human being. (See last month’s Chaplain’s Corner).

Remember, the cause of the problem lies within people’s hearts. That’s where the sin of ethnic hatred is. The Scriptures teach us that the one it calls God created every human being and that He did so that they might enjoy a relationship with Him. In Adam, all the different ethnic gene pools existed.

Acts 17:24-27 (NASB) confirms this. It says:

24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;
25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to ALL PEOPLE life and breath and all things;
26 and He MADE FROM ONE MAN (Adam) EVERY NATION (‘ethnos’ – ethnic group) OF MANKIND TO LIVE ON ALL THE FACE OF THE EARTH, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,

And why did He make so many different ethnic groups? Acts 17:27 makes it clear:

27 THAT THEY WOULD SEEK GOD, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; “ (New American Standard Bible).

Since according to this passage, God made ALL PEOPLES TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIMSELF, no one ethnic group is left out of His plan. A good place to show this as God’s priority for each one of us and how men should love all ethnic groups equally is in Matthew 22:34-40, which reads:

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.
35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (a quote from Deuteronomy 6:5)
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

In verse 37, the word Jesus used for “mind” means the mind as a faculty of UNDERSTANDING. The original word is made up of two words, “through” and “mind.” In other words: to PONDER THROUGH THE MIND.

So, the first and foremost commandment of God (verse 38) contains a command to put through the mind the nature of God, or to understand Him. He reveals Himself through creation and to a much greater extent in the Bible. According to verse 37, understanding God is a part of loving Him. We get a properl understanding of Him only in the Bible.

Verse 39 is linked to knowing and loving the true God, and His first or priority commandment in verse 37. This link is in the words “the second IS LIKE IT.” But HOW is the second great commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves LIKE loving God with all our heart, soul and mind? And who does God mean by the words, “your neighbor?”

The word “like” in verse 37, means corresponding to something. The sense is IF YOU UNDERSTAND GOD WITH YOUR MIND AND LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, THEN YOU SHOULD LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR LIKE YOU LOVE YOURSELF.

Then, just who is my neighbor? The root of the Holy Spirit written word is “near.” So, this word came to mean anyone near in location to us. Strong’s Concordance gives this as one of the definitions of “plesion” (neighbor): “according to Christ, ANY OTHER MAN IRRESPECTIVE OF NATION or religion with whom we live or WHOM WE CHANCE TO MEET.”

Then it is our Creator’s command - that we love every other person regardless of ethnic background that we chance to encounter! We will want to do this if we love and understand Him. We must have a correct theology of God to do that. He loves our neighbors and therefore each one of us love them also.

CORRECTING A LACK OF FORGIVENESS

Another contributing factor in regards to ethnic or racial hatred relates to history. We remember the recent civil war in Bosnia. That terrible conflict brought out the phrase "ethnic cleansing" which had to do with one ethnic group wanting to totally eradicate another.

Also recent civil wars in African countries like Rwanda were examples of the same kind of thing. One group in past history - even hundreds of years prior, did something to another and due to a lack of forgiveness, hatred for the other group is taught by the current generation. This is also sin. It is a lack of love and a refusal to forgive. Inmates get caught up in this kind of thing, especially those with gang affiliation.

Jesus had much to say about this. In addressing this sin, my suggestion is that you begin by teaching inmates or residents Matthew 6:14-15. The context of these verses is the difference between true worshipers of God and hypocrites. Here Jesus said:

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Those who forgive in verse 14 are true worshipers of God and they are the saved. Those who will not forgive in verse 15 are hypocritical worshipers and they have not been forgiven by God of their sins. They are not saved. Jesus was not teaching the way of salvation is through forgiving others but rather that forgiving others evidences true salvation.

He went deeper with this teaching in Matthew 18: 21-35.

The background and context of this passage is Christ teaching His disciples about dealing with those within the professing family of faith (the church) that might sin against them. He taught them they had to deal with sin and that if the sinning person heard them, that is if they repented, then heaven would forgive that person. He taught them that person would have been loosed (verse 18) from their sin. This then prompted Peter’s question in verse 21 about FORGIVENESS.

Peter’s Puzzlement – verses 21 and 22

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Note that Peter’s question was not so much about being forgiven by God (in Jewish thinking “heaven” meant God) but about his own personal responsibility to forgive someone that had offended him. “How often shall my brother SIN AGAINST ME AND I FORGIVE HIM?”

Here you need to explain what exactly is meant by this Bible word, “FORGIVE” The word means to let something go, to loose from the penalty and to not remember the thing against a person. In forgiveness the guilt is totally sent away from the wrongdoer.

Peter probably thought it would be magnanimous of him to forgive an offense SEVEN TIMES! He must have been shocked by Jesus’ answer in verse 22 -

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

This answer was hyperbole. Jesus did not mean 490 times (70 times 7) but rather you just keep on forgiving and forgiving to the nth degree. To illustrate this and the absolute need of granting forgiveness to other people, Jesus told Peter and all His disciples a parable. This teaching is also to all those today that want to be His true followers.

The Parable taught by Christ – verses 23-34

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

Whenever Christ likened something to the kingdom of heaven (or to the kingdom of God) He was talking about the sphere of salvation. He was talking about how people get saved, or what the saved people do because of their salvation, or how God will include or exclude people from it. In this parable, God the one final Judge, who can grant forgiveness of sin is represented by the king.

24 And when he (the king) had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

Ten thousand talents of gold is an incomprehensible sum of money for normal everyday people. In the first century, one talent was a sum of money so great it would take 19 years to earn! So roughly speaking, 10,000 talents equaled 190,000 years wages. Jesus’ illustrative story continues:

25 But as he (the incredibly indebted slave) was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

This action by the king WAS JUST. It was fair. The price of the people and things sold couldn’t come even close to the actual money owed.

26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience (literally, ‘defer anger over me’ specifically -the kind of anger that boils up, flashes and then subsides) with me, and I will pay you all.’ (there was no way he could ever do that!)
27 Then the master (the king) of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

A more literal translation of verse 27 is: “And filled with emotional tenderness from his intestines, the lord of that slave loosed him and set him free from the debt and FORGAVE by sending away the amount of the loan from him.”

This truly pictures part of the motive of the Lord God in forgiving individual sinners. The other part of course is His JUSTICE in doing so ON ACCOUNT OF THE SUBSTITUTION of His Son, who paid the debt IN FULL FOR THEM at the cross (compare 1 John 1:7,9). The wrath and sudden anger of an all holy Father against our sin fell completely on His Son Jesus, at Calvary.

What Christ wanted to stress here was the COMPASSIONATE side of God’s forgiveness.

Now we come to the heart of His message on forgiveness of one another in verses 28-34. Verses 28-30 show the unconverted attitude of some that think they will be included in the kingdom of heaven and that they will be saved from judgment.

28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; (a little over three month’s wages) and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

The fellow slave that owed him (the one just forgiven 190.000 years wages) only three and a half month’s wages even used the EXACT SAME WORDS in asking for mercy that the greater debtor had used with the king! “Have patience with me (defer your anger over me), and I will pay you all.”

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. That is a total lack of forgiveness to a fellow human being.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion (or pity) on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry,

This is a different word for anger than one used as part of the words translated have patience – defer anger, in verses 26 and 29. This word in verse 34 denotes an anger or indignation that is settled. It even suggests eternal anger! It is an anger that never subsides. So Jesus’ illustrative story about the king and the unforgiving debtor, concludes at the end of verse 34:

34 … and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

That ending is also interesting because it is so personal between the king and the single debtor. His punishment, which he could never pay off, was for him alone. Nothing was said about his wife and children being sold or punished. So it is with God’s eternal punishment of unrepentant sinners, it is theirs alone to bear.

The Point made by Christ – verse 35

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

The issue is in the heart. A heart that by God’s grace senses the enormity of its sin against Him, and therefore wants to be forgiven by Him, will not want to hold on to anger and be unforgiving of others. This is so BECAUSE they realize how much less the sin of others against them is – WHEN COMPARED TO HOW GREAT THEIR OWN SIN against God is!

If inmates cannot forgive others of another race or group for things done to them or their group in the past, then they do not understand God’s forgiveness. They do not know it personally. They indicate that they are not forgiven by God. They are unsaved.

In Christ, this lack of forgiveness of others, changes. It has to because He replaces the true believer’s former hatred with His love and that love and compassion is willing to forgive.

1 Peter 4:8 says to those in Christ:

8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

In Christ also, there is an equality of standing before God. God is the Father of all that love the Lord Jesus and there are no distinctions to Him between His children.

This is brought out in Galatians 3:26-29, which reads:

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Racial hatred is serious evil and it is on the increase. But God, through Christ and the teaching of His word can and will overcome it. That’s why He placed you there in the midst of this problem in places of incarceration. We pray you bring God’s word to bear against this sin and for its correction.

Rich Hines

Minister to Chaplains, Aurora Ministries’ Chaplain Help Ministry

God is The Creator of Everything and is Therefore The Sovereign over Everyone Psalm 33

This message is primarily for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve as a Chaplain or a gospel minister in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue mission – in the United States.

All Scripture quotes are usually taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is placed within parenthesis signs (). These usually occur as direct translations from the original languages, or as notes from the original setting to help apply the text to today’s culture.

ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize words in a text, or to make a comment about a biblical text, or emphasize a statement.

Do you know what time it is? It’s time for Christian pastors, chaplains and teachers to GET BACK TO THE BASICS! As you evangelize and disciple people, one of the first things you need to teach them is to worship God rightly. This is one of the basics of Christian living.

Acceptable and right worship of the true God requires at least three things; cleansing from sin, a correct understanding of who God is and a true heart of humble gratitude for all He has done. Worship involves understanding the worthiness of God to have our full attention and heartfelt praise.

One of many great places to teach your inmates or residents about worship is Psalm 33, BECAUSE it majors on a BASIC understanding of God.

This song called PSALM 33 is very instructional, and theological. Structurally, this psalm has four stanzas (vv.1-5; vv 6-12; vv. 13-17 and vv. 18-22). The last part of the first two stanzas make a transition to the next stanza as you shall see.

In verses 1-3 of the first stanza, believers are called to praise and thank the LORD.

1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous (ones)! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
2 Praise (a different word for praise than in v.1 – this word includes giving thanks to) the LORD with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a (loud) shout of joy.

The verbs "Rejoice" in verse1; "Praise, or give thanks", in verse 2; and "Sing" in verse 3; ARE ALL IMPERATIVES. That means they are commands. In verses 20-22 we will see the obedience of some including the Psalmist himself.

Verse 4 then gives reasons for commanding such praise and thanks. Here we find some wonderful theological statements.

4 For the WORD of the LORD is right (correct), and all His WORK is done in truth (trustworthiness).

Everything the LORD does is consistent with who He is. His work is faithful to His character. We can ALWAYS count on the true God to act as He has always acted. We can truly count on His faithfulness.

Such a One ought to be constantly thanked and praised for these two truths mentioned in verse 4. His word is always correct and His doings are always consistently faithful to His good and holy nature. He is not capricious, subject to whim or unpredictable! Already, verse 4 has spoken of two of God’s great attributes.

First, He is a communicative, Self-Revealing God. He reveals Himself to us. He did this through His inspired written word and through the incarnation of His Son. Second, He is a God that is involved with us by faithfully doing things for the crown of His creation, mankind. Most people unfortunately take that for granted, yet in His goodness He makes His sun to shine and His rain to fall on both the evil and the good (Matt. 5:45, 1 Tim. 4:10).

As the first stanza closes, verse 5 touches on three more attributes of God and transitions us to the main instructive portion of the whole Psalm. Verse 5 alludes to God’s righteousness, justice and love. Note it:

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth (our planet) is full of the goodness of the LORD.

The sense of this verse is that God loves righteousness and justice shown by men. BUT, He loves that BECAUSE HE IS THE SUM OF ALL THAT IS RIGHTEOUS AND JUST.

Righteousness is what is morally right. Justice is what is a fair and proper response to any situation. The third attribute hinted at in this verse is God’s love. 1 John 4:8,16 says “God IS love.” When in Ps. 33:5, the NKJV speaks of the “goodness"of the LORD, it is the Hebrew word “Chesed.” That word is so full of meaning it is impossible to translate by one single English word.

This word right here in Ps. 33:5, is translated differently by the following good, word for word English translations:

KJV – ‘goodness,’ NASB – ‘lovingkindness,’ Holman Christian Standard – ‘unfailing love,’ ESV – ‘steadfast love.’ The Contemporary English Version even renders the last part of verse 5, “He is … kind to everyone everywhere on earth.” My NKJV translates this same word "Chesed" as "mercy" in verses 18 and 22. All of those concepts - are part of the word “Chesed.“

Now we come to the main teaching section of this wonderful Psalm. It is in the next two stanzas, in verses 6-17.

Here we are taught, and in turn you ought to teach inmates and residents that THE GOD REVEALED IN THE BIBLE (even the Lord, Jesus Christ) IS THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING AND THEREFORE IS SOVEREIGN OVER EVERYONE.

Look at verse 5 again. "He loves righteousness and justice; The EARTH (our planet) is full of the goodness of the LORD." The reference to "the earth" is transitional to the next stanza which speaks of ITS CREATOR.

6 By the word of the LORD the heavens (that word ‘heavens’ includes the entire universe!) were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

Verses 7-9 then speaks on a smaller scale about our Earth) -
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses.
8 Let all THE EARTH fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it (the Earth) was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible translates the Hebrew of verses 8-9 even more dramatically. Note it:
8 Let the whole earth tremble before the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it came into being; He commanded, and it came into existence.

The Bible teaches us our God, even the one who became the historical Jesus, created the world out of NOTHING! There was nothing, then He spoke - and in obedience to His Sovereign Creative Voice, the world was! And when He created it - it was perfect and complete.

Note Hebrews 11:3 - "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed (note the plural – worlds) BY THE WORD OF GOD, so that the things which are seen were NOT MADE OF THINGS WHICH ARE VISIBLE.” (in other words, they were made from the invisible)

The invisible was the nothing. He spoke and things appeared - OUT OF NOTHING. He didn't start with matter and make something out of it. He made all matter out of nothing.

Note also 2 Peter 3:5 - "BY THE WORD OF GOD the heavens were of old, and the earth (land, or ground) standing out of water and in the water ..."

These are more than great astonishing theological statements. They MEAN SOMETHING TO US. Since God is the Master Designer and Maker of everything, He has AUTHORITY OVER IT ALL. That means mankind has no final say!

Inmates need to know this truth. They need to give up their habit of scheming and surrender everything about their future to the Lord Jesus Christ. He – not they themselves in control. He is the only true and final Sovereign.

Proud human beings cannot ultimately make anything happen outside of what God as Complete and Total Sovereign, allows or plans. That is exactly what the next two verses, are teaching.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

One translation even says: “The LORD frustrates the counsel of the nations; He thwarts the plans of the peoples.” I like that. This second stanza ends and trasitions to the third with the following words:

12 Blessed is THE NATION whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

The fact that He chose them, also stresses His sovereignty. They did nothing to cause Him to set His love on them and choose them. He did so SIMPLY BECAUSE HE SOVEREIGNLY WANTED TO.

To Israel God said, "The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers,..." (Deut. 7:7,8)

The reference to "the Nation...The people (of Israel) He has chosen," in Psalm 33:12, is as I said, transitional to the next stanza in verses 13-17, which emphasizes God's involvement with ALL NATIONS, AND ALL PEOPLES.

13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees (observes) ALL THE SONS OF MEN.
14 From the place of His dwelling He looks (literally, He gazes) on ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH;
15 He fashions (this word refers to God’s creative crafting) their hearts individually;

Again, since the LORD God makes each person’s physical body, even their key organs, He alone has the right to observe and judge them. He knows what each of us thinks and has done. He even knows WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO. Note it at the end of verse 15.

15 … He considers (lit. understands) all their works.

Therefore, how foolish is it to think like the humanists teach us, that we can save ourselves from anything, especially our biggest problems – sin and death.

Submission to God’s sovereignty means repenting from the thought that we can save ourselves (humanism). Believing in God and His control is the opposite of trusting in man-made answers to our dilemmas.

Note and teach inmates and staff about God’s rebuke against humanism in verses 16-17. As you show them these verses have them to think of politics and military might 3,000 years ago.

16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

The whole world system including governmental answers to crime normally seeks man-made answers. But WE BELIEVE GOD. Therefore, we believe there is no rehabilitation of criminals without a God wrought regeneration. Which is to say, the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ is the only real solution to crime.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? If so, then don’t ever get caught up in trusting the system’s best answers. That would be like the ancient kings that trusted in large armies and powerful cavalry instead of relying upon the LORD.

The final stanza of the Psalmist’s song, in verses 18-22, is in contrast to hoping and trusting in man. Rather, the people that are the subject of this passage, submit to the sovereign Creator, therefore they hope and trust in Him alone.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, ( His ‘chesed’, His - lovingkindness, faithful love, pity, goodness and kindness)

When verse 18 it says “the eye of the LORD is on those that fear Him” - it does not mean simply to observe their sin and feeble self trust, like in verses 13-15.

Rather, because of the near context we know it means He looks on them (that is those that fear Him) with favor to deliver, save, help and protect them. The hope in the LORD’S ‘chesed,’ is part of what it means to fear Him.

The hoping here and in verse 22 means to wait for His loving deliverance in the future. Those that fear the LORD, in hope wait for Him : (verse 19)

19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

These righteous ones (compare to verse 1) close the Psalm by speaking to us and to their LORD in verses 20-22 . They say to us:

20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He (not man, - implied by context and in contrast to verses 16-17) is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.

Then these worshipers say to the LORD:
22 Let Your mercy (again, ‘chesed’) O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope (we wait expectantly) in You.

The Amplified Bible renders verse 22: “Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, IN PROPORTION TO our waiting and hoping for You.”

Believers in the LORD believe what He has revealed. Namely, He is Maker and Master of everything and His loving-kindness has provided and will provide for their greatest need through His love gift - the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior and Deliverer.

They will not look to any other! They worship HIM ALONE.

Rich Hines - Minister to Chaplains

Aurora Ministries.