Aquarius: An Age Of Peace And Love

By Roger Penney

A New Age Wish
New Age beliefs can be regarded as a hodge-podge of ideas from eastern mysticism, ancient shamanism and the spiritism of Madame Blavatsky. The Romantic Movement and the psychoanalysis of Carl Jung are mixed in as well, with some of the social evolutionary theory of Herbert Spencer. Added to the toxic brew are the anti-rationalism of some artistic movements and the hopes for a global society as expressed by people like H.G. Wells. Nietzsche’s longing for an “overman” and a dash of the peace and love protests could be included also. It would take too long to trace the histories of all these diverse trains of thought as they intertwine into the New Age ideas and, sometimes, diverge once again.

Many years ago I set up my Christian witness stall at an arts festival. Soon the grounds were filled with all sorts of stalls selling experiences, books, exotic foods and herbal remedies. This is all part of the New Age movement.

I had many conversations there, but my working class accent was decidedly out of place in what was mostly a gathering of people from the upper-middle class. I recited some of my poems until a man in a suit cut me down. Later, I had a long correspondence with this man who claimed to have the ability to mediate with the spirit world, or shamanic skills. Sadly, his skills at rational dialogue were not impressive and his understanding of the Bible was even worse, despite his claim to have answered an evangelist’s altar call.

The threads of belief and culture which run through most of what is called “The New Age” are ones Christians might recognize, but only to the extent that there is a yearning for something better in our personalities and self. This wish however is doomed among New Agers, for they strongly believe in self-improvement. They claim to need no help – and certainly not from God or the Lord Jesus. We cannot be sure what the gods are that New Agers mention, but we know they deny the true God.

Their ethical values are rather vague and formless, but they do include non-violence, diversity and community. They argue for global unification while rejecting the idea of a powerful central world government. A future happy “Age of Aquarius” is their hope – a time of doing whatever they please as they lounge around on the grass grooving in the sunshine. Alas, the sun does not always shine.

New Agers seek a sort of beneficial social evolution. Intriguingly enough, they take a leaf out of Vladimir Lenin’s writings, which are ideologies written in blood if there ever were, and hope for an elite mass of informed, committed and spiritually aware men and women to bring about the desired great social, religious and political changes.

Real Change
We who are Christians understand that we are a spiritual people working for the transformation of the human race, and we know that positive change in the world will not come through our efforts or by our commitment. On a personal level it only comes through faith in the Son of God. World change will only be by the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6 KJV). Before this prophecy of Zechariah is fulfilled, another spoken by Ezekiel will come to pass: “I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is, and I will give it to Him” (Ezek. 21:27). The LORD also spoke through Malachi, saying, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Mal. 4:5-6).

We long for improvement in our lives and spiritual development, yearning too for the return of our “Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Phil. 3:20-21). His eternal reign of peace, justice and love is our strong desire.

Churches – the local gatherings of believers – should be the nearest things on this side of eternity to a truly loving community, where there is both diversity and unity. At the same time we form a dedicated and well-informed band of spiritual envoys: the ambassadors of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 6:19-20). These things can only exist and take place through Him, in view of His death at Calvary and the sending of the Holy Spirit. God alone can make us fit for such things, having addressed our sin.

Liar And Deceiver
Satan has perverted the things of God in an attempt to make them his own. The testing of the Lord Jesus (Mt. 4:1-11; Lk. 4:13) shows us clearly how Satan works, so we are “not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11). Satan presents himself as “an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness” (11:13-15). This is the case with the New Age Movement and its mixture of the occult, idealism and ancient superstitions. As of old the Devil’s promise, “ye shall be as gods,” has its ancient appeal (Gen. 3:4-5).

Fuelled by the arts, false science and worldly philosophies, modern man has no values – nothing on which to express his God-given moral nature. Nietzsche gave academia the lie that “God is dead.” Freud and Darwin supplied the falsehood that salvation is in the material world by one’s own efforts. Industrialization made man a servant of the machine and greed.

The lasting influence of the youth and protest culture of the 1960’s has turned man against God and the truth of the gospel. The violent values of survivalism have been turned to its own use by competitive commercial and industrial society. To a vast extent, many in the modern working class have become dull consumers of television and media – a far cry from the active, self-educating men and women of earlier times.

The Danish philosopher Kier- kegaard taught that faith is a leap in the dark. It is therefore no wonder that classes of people have been recruited to the pseudo spirituality and false fellowship of the New Age.

In the midst of the carnage of World War 1 a group of artists and writers in Switzerland formed a protest group. Since war seemed to them as madness, they decided that the world had gone mad. They then led the world into the abstract and absurd world of Modern and Post Modern Art, and into a whole celebration of the absurd until even that seemed ridiculous.

Workers of the world settle for things and entertainment. People choose the occult or other beliefs and practices while rejecting right institutions and values. These decisions are destructive to humanity, and their wide acceptance can be seen by recent decisions of nations and secular churches.

Aquarius is now alive and well in all denominations of Christendom, the professing Church. While some worshipers bow before the idols in their church, others fall on the floor after being given a mystic pat on the forehead. How grave things have become in that even born again Christians look for a euphoric experience given by a guru channeling the power of a goddess.

Be Steadfast, Looking
Churches are infested with searches for experiences and feelings, while Bible reading and understanding is at an all time low. Yet, we who are believers may commune with the Lord Jesus and our heavenly Father. We can read God’s Word and be truly enlightened by the leading of the Holy Spirit as He reveals to us the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the age for which we live. It is the true, new age of justice, peace, truth and love. We who are believers will live closely with the Lord Himself, enfolded in the warmth of His love and devotion for us. “God … hath highly exalted Him,” and the day is coming when “every knee should bow … and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord [the sovereign God, Jehovah], to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

Under His Wings

By Curt Darling

“Under His wings I am safely abiding; Though the night deepens and tempests are wild, Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me; He has redeemed me, and I am His child.”

— William O. Cushing (1823-1902)

“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” —Ruth 2:12 KJV

The Lord takes care of believers, keeping them “under His wings.” as we consider various passages of scripture, our hearts are drawn to Him.K We find the first such passage as we read about Ruth. You may recall that Ruth was from Moab, but she had married a man from Israel who was living in her country. after he died, she went to bethlehem with her mother-in-law. While seeking grain to provide food for both of them, Ruth, without planning to do so, entered a field that belonged to the wealthy man boaz. Impressed by her faith and kindness to her mother-in-law, boaz provided a source of food and place of safety to Ruth. In a short time, boaz became to her a kinsman-redeemer* and husband. Together, they would become ancestors of the Lord Jesus.

“Keep me as the apple of the eye. Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings.” —Psalm 17:8

The “apple of the eye” is its very tender and precious part, protected by other parts of the eye. Connected with this David said, “Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings.” David’s life was filled with danger, yet he recognized that he was precious to the LORD and he desired to be kept in His care.

“How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.” —Psalm 36:7

David began this psalm by criticizing the wickedness of men (vv.1-4); then he wrote about the mercies and faithfulness of God (vv.5-7). In verse 7 David spoke of the precious lovingkindness, or mercy, of God, expressing a personal trust in the One who in mercy and faithfulness protects under His very own wings. Do we have this kind of trust in God?

“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities are overpast.” —Psalm 57:1

The heading of this psalm tells us it was written when David fled from King saul. samuel had already anointed David to replace saul. In view of the danger from one seeking his life, David needed the realization that he had safety under the shadow of God’s wings. I heard a story many years ago of a man walking through a burnedout prairie. Coming upon a pile of ashes he kicked it apart. as he did, a bunch of baby prairie chickens came out and ran away. The mother had protected those chicks to her death. Does that remind you of Jesus and His death for those who trust Him?

“I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of Thy wings. Selah.” —Psalm 61:4

“Trust” prevails in every passage so far, even when the word is not mentioned. David began this psalm by asking God, “Hear my cry … attend unto my prayer” (v.1). He sensed a distance from God, having an overwhelmed heart (v.2). We are reminded that the Lord is a rock, a shelter and a strong tower from the enemy. Rather than being far from Him, David said that he would abide in His dwelling place forever. Therefore we again see David expressing his “trust in the covert of Thy wings.”

“Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings I will rejoice.” —Psalm 63:7

David, reminded of the LORD’s help to him, rejoiced under the shadow of His wings. We can do the same, having received “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

“He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be Thy shield and buckler.” —Psalm 91:4

We see related phrases in verse 1 as to dwelling in the secret place of the Most High and abiding under the shadow of the almighty. “surely He shall deliver” (v.3), but it is “under His wings” (v.4) where one must trust. notice the next words: “His truth.” Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32) and, “I am … the truth” (14:6). We must know Him.

Expressions By The Lord Jesus Christ
Referring to Jesus about six months before His birth, Zacharias spoke of the visit of the Dayspring from on high (Lk. 1:78). In this he affirmed that the child Jesus was God. Later, in Luke 19:41, the Lord Jesus beheld Jerusalem and wept over it. He said, “Thou knewest not the time of thy visitation” (v.44).

He sorrowed because of the people’s refusal to know Him and to be gathered under His wings: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent [by God] unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not” (Mt. 23:37).

as Israel refused to be sheltered under His wings, the gospel now goes out to the ends of the world. We who have heard and believed the good news of salvation, knowing the risen Christ, can enjoy the fact that we are under His wings. There is plenty in this world that could make us afraid, but we can be like what I saw in my farm days, when one peal of thunder would send the chicks running under their mother’s wings.

May we bow in adoration to our savior as we consider the chorus of the opening hymn:

“Under His wings, under His wings, Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide forever.”

ENDNOTE
* GotQuestions.org explains the kinsman-redeemer in this manner: It is “a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman-redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues (Gen. 48:16; Ex. 6:6) or redeems property or person (Lev. 27:9–25, 25:47–55) … [The Lord Jesus] is the true kinsman-redeemer of all who call on Him in faith.”

“Do Not Be Deceived”

By Paul Alberts

The matter of deception runs from Genesis to Revelation. In relation to humans, we first read about it in Genesis 3, when the woman confessed that “the serpent deceived me” (v.13 NASB). We probably know the story well, remembering how satan asked Eve questions, craftily challenging her understanding of the one command God had given for the good of man. Having had her desires stirred, she took and ate of the tree from which fruit was not to be eaten. she also gave of the fruit to her husband and he ate. Thus sin entered the human race.

This certainly was not God’s desire for mankind. He does not want men and women to be deceived by the things in this world. His Word tells us, “Do not be deceived” (Gal 6:7; Jas. 1:16). being deceived is related to our old nature and the state we were in before we trusted the Lord. Titus 3:3-6 says, “For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. but when the kindness of God our savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our savior.”

We may like to suggest that the problem of being deceived is strictly from outside ourselves: the great Deceiver, known as the Devil, or “evil men and impostors [who] proceed from bad to worse, deceiving …” (2 Tim. 3:13). Certainly there are many examples of this in the bible, even stories of family members deceiving one another. However, the Old Testament prophets revealed to God’s people that they were being deceived by “the arrogance of your heart” (Jer. 49:16). Is there not pride in our hearts at times, like the people of old, which leads us away from the things of the Lord, replacing that which gives honor and glory to Him with something evil in His sight? Oh, dear ones, we must be careful and heed the exhortations given to us from scripture!

“In Me You May Have Peace”

By Curt Darling

Many efforts of mankind have an aim of bringing a lasting peace to this earth. Yet, in spite of all these efforts, there is still no true satisfaction or peace in the hearts of men. Nowhere in the universe can real and lasting peace be found but in God. He alone is the Author of such peace.

We may pretend – as was the case many years ago with the people who said, “Peace, peace! When there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14 nkjv). It was sin that destroyed peace and made us the enemies of God. It is sin also that makes men fight and kill each other, and commit all sorts of wrong deeds. So this vital question of sin must be settled before we can have real peace with God and peace among ourselves. We can pretend we are happy, but remember that “‘there is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked’” (Isa. 57:21).

You may have experienced a little temporary peace and happiness now and then, but only Christ, who is called in the Bible the “Prince of Peace” (9:6), can bring true peace within your own heart. He died on the cross for your sin. The prophet Isaiah said long ago, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; … He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (53:4-5).

You may have this peace by acknowledging your true condition as a sinner and accepting Christ as your Savior. It is not through any effort of man that peace is acquired. Rather, believe what God is saying to you in His Word, the Bible. Only then will you receive everlasting life, happiness and real peace. Jesus said, “These things have I spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace” (Jn. 16:33). We can tell you more.

A Few Thoughts On PROPHECY / Part Six

By Alfred Bouter

In this, our last section, we will consider links between several passages of Scripture. The Lord’s Olivet discourse details events that will take place after the rapture, which at that time was yet to be revealed. Christ’s speech can be roughly divided into three parts, paralleling the three sub-divisions of the prophetic portion of Revelation 6-16 (seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls). These are to take place during the seven-year period termed the “70th Week,” after the rapture of the Church. Several links also exist with Daniel 9:24-27, as outlined in the following overview.

First Half Of The 70th Week
The first line of Daniel 9:27 – “then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week” (NKJV) – parallels “the beginning of sorrows” (“birth pains” in some translations, Mt. 24:4-14; Mk. 13:4-13; Lk. 21:8-19) and the seal judgments (Rev. 6).

Second Half Of The 70th Week
The middle of Daniel 9:27 – “but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate” – ties with the trumpet judgments (Rev. 7-9, with details in Rev. 11-13) during the abomination of desolation.1 Many details of this end time idolatry are found in Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14 and Revelation 13. Note that the predictions of Luke 21:20-24 mainly refer to the events that took place in the years 68-70 and 132-135 AD, although some details also apply to the future destruction of Jerusalem.

Described ConditionOlivet DiscourseRevelation 6
False prophets / messiahsMt. 24:5,11v.2
WarsMt. 24:6vv.2-4
International discordsMt. 24:7vv.3-4
FaminesMt. 24:7vv.5-8
PestilenceLk. 21:11v.8
Persecution / martyrdomMt. 24:9vv.9-11
EarthquakesMt. 24:7v.12
Cosmic phenomenaLk. 21:11vv.12-14

Conclusion Of The 70th Week
The end of Daniel 9:27 – “even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate” – correlates to the final birth pangs (Mt. 24:15-29), which are the bowl judgments (Rev. 16, with background details in Rev. 14-15, 17-19). Daniel 9:24-27 reveals the timetable for these events and shows some links between the first and second coming of the Messiah. These verses explain how the Messiah would be presented to His people 483 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Here is where a “gap” of unknown duration started (see Isa. 61:1-2; Lk. 4:19), between Christ’s first and second coming. Remember, the rapture precedes His second coming (see 1 Th. 4:14-18).

Sometime after the beginning of this “parenthesis,” or “in-between period,” the Messiah was executed (Dan. 9:26). His rejection and violent death resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple forty years later, as well as the Jews’ dispersion among the nations in 70 AD. The acceptance of a false, or counterfeit, messiah (Jn. 5:43) caused further trouble during 132-135 AD. Another destruction of Jerusalem and of a third temple that still must be built, where this future idolatry (abomination) will be centered, is yet to come (2 Th. 2:3-12).

It is important to understand that the rapture2 of the Church (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Th. 4:16; Phil. 3:21) is not part of the prophetic events, but it is the prerequisite for those events to take place and the pouring out of God’s judgments (seals, trumpets and bowls). These things cannot take place as long as the true Church is on earth. The false church will continue after the rapture and be judged on earth at the end of those seven years (Rev. 17-18). About 1,000 years later, after the great white throne judgment, all unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15).

ENDNOTES
1. Some feel the trumpet judgments precede the manifestation of the abomination.
2. This spectacular event will include the believers of the Old Testament. They will be in heaven with the Church, seen as part of the 24 elders and later as guests at the wedding of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9).

Malachi

By Leslie M. Grant

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.” —Malachi 3:16 NKJV

Malachi, meaning “my messenger,” shows us the miserably self-complacent, or self-satisfied, condition of the Jews who had returned from the captivity in Babylon. Their energy had soon deteriorated into a state of callous indifference to the claims of God – a state of self-pleasing. In a deeply pleading word, God reproved their gross contempt for Him, expressed in various ways. Yet with brazen defiance they replied as though they were entirely without blame! Hence, this was God’s last word to Israel until 400 years later when He sent John the Baptist. Israel, refusing to listen to God, would be left to reap the bitter results of their scornfully arrogant choice.

Yet how precious it is that there were still those who in heart “feared the LORD,” though evidently only a small portion of the remnant that had returned to Judah. They are given no distinctive name, for it is the LORD’s name that was precious to them. These individuals spoke often one to another of the things of God, and this was a delight to His heart. He assures us it was not forgotten, but written in a “book of remembrance.”

How fitting that this last book of the Old Testament shows Jehovah concerned with not only actions, but the thoughts and motives of hearts as well. These faithful ones were promised the rising of the “Sun of Righteousness” (4:2), which speaks of Christ yet to come in power and great glory.

Response

• I enjoyed the November 2016 magazine, but I noticed a mistake. One article says gold threads were in the gate to the courtyard of the tabernacle. However, there was no gold visible outside of the tabernacle. Specifically regarding the gate, a good reference is Exodus 38:18. – USA

• Thanks for sending the Grace & Truth regularly. The articles on the “Man of God” in the June 2016 issue were challenging and edifying to me. – India

• I had issues with my wife of four years, family not working, business doing zero, bored with same life, so I called it quits with everything. I wrote to my pastor that sometimes I feel God does not remember me. Two days later, God began addressing me through your magazine. He used your articles “Yet I Will Not Forget You” (Mar. ’16), “Twelve Steps To Better Family Communication” (May ’13) and “What Is A Shepherd” (Dec. ’13 – Apr. ‘14) to save my ugly situation. May God reward those who make the magazine available to me without cost. – Nigeria

• We appreciate your monthly magazine, Grace & Truth, and get much spiritual edification by it. The article “Christianity And Culture” (Feb. ‘16) seems suited for our German magazine “Folge mir nach” for young believers. We ask kindly for your permission to publish it. – Germany

QUESTION: In what ways does God chasten His children? How can His child realize God is chastening him?

Answered by Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.

ANSWER: God is almighty and all-wise, while at the same time He is an all-loving Father to His children – those who have received His Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord. Since God is God we cannot in any way restrict Him as to how He may chasten His children. But let’s reflect for a moment on how the Bible uses terms like chastening, children and sons.

Hebrews 12 tells us how God as Father chastens us as His sons. Interestingly, while we who have believed are both His children and His sons, this chapter speaks of Christians as sons. In the First Epistle of John all believers are called “children,” viewed as having been born into God’s family. “Little children” indicates growth and differentiates, or distinguishes, them from young men and fathers. When Scripture calls believers “sons” it views them as those who have a measure of maturity and responsibility. In those instances where the Bible speaks of God “chastening,” it is speaking of training and disciplining. This may, if need be, involve punishing, but punishing is not the primary object of chastening.

A father chastens his own children and not children who belong to others. In this sense chastening begins early in life. A baby needs to be loved, fed and cared for with kindness in many ways, but we do not usually speak of chastening babies or very small children. As the child grows, chastening, child training or education becomes an important part of its life, and a wise parent carefully chooses the ways he or she trains up his or her child (see Prov. 22:6). We chasten as “seem[s] best” to us, which is during a relatively short period of time (Heb. 12:10 NKJV). Our Father chastens us, His sons, “for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness” (v.11). This chastening is really education meant for our good, and it does not have to be painful or unpleasant.

Chastening normally begins with a word: “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (Prov. 1:8). Sometimes even a look will convey the message. God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. If we listen to what He tells us the result will be pleasant and good. God in His grace may speak one, two or three times (Job 33:14,29) – and sometimes even more! He speaks through His Word, and His Spirit may bring things to our remembrance – often to our conscience. Oh, that we might listen and learn. “The Lord turned and looked at Peter, then Peter remembered the word of the Lord … So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Lk. 22:61-62).

If a word or look is not sufficient, our heavenly Father may apply stronger measures. In my own case as a boy the next thing would be my father applying the rod, often saying, “He that will not listen must feel.” God has many ways to apply the rod. Doubtless this is what our questioner is asking about.

There will be consequences for wrongs; sometimes they may be physical. When David sinned by numbering the people (2 Sam. 24; 1 Chr. 21), God allowed him to choose from three options. He may not give us a choice, but if He does it is wise to leave the decision to Him.

In 1 Corinthians 11:29-32 we see that the consequence of sin may be sickness or even premature death, sometimes happening to someone else. An accident, injury or overdose – there are many ways by which we are reminded that the wages of sin is death. The sick person in James 5:14-16 seems to have realized that his illness was the result of some sin in his life that needed to be confessed. Not every illness is necessarily our Father’s chastisement, but it is good to be sensitive to what God may be saying to us – not only in unusual situations, but in every situation we encounter in life.

How can we realize that God is chastening us? This is not an easy question to answer. The Lord Jesus sets before us an example in Matthew 11. He keenly felt His rejection in Galilean cities where He had labored much and sadly had to speak of the judgment that awaited them. Yet “at that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight’” (vv.25-26). In 2 Samuel 16:5-13 David, when fleeing from his son Absalom, was being pelted by Shimei with stones, dust and wicked curses. But he would not let Abishai kill Shimei. “Let him alone, and let him curse,” he said, “for so the LORD has ordered him.”

It is well for us also to accept all things from the hands of God our Father and ask Him to show us what He would have us confess or learn from them. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). The closer we walk to the Lord, the more readily we will understand what our Father is seeking to accomplish in us and for us by His chastening. He wants to guide us with His eye but, sad to say, He must often resort to bit and bridle instead (Ps. 32:8-9).

How good to be reminded that the fact that God chastens us is a proof that He loves us and He considers us His sons. Let’s not despise His chastening nor be discouraged by it. Rather, let’s endure it and submit to His training of us through it.

The Father’s Love

By Jacob Redekop

“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.” —1 John 1:1 NKJV

The apostle John was so amazed at the thought of the Father’s love being so great that he stopped to consider it carefully. Like him, our senses are involved when we seriously examine something; and we find the writer mention first the ears – the hearing, second the eyes – the seeing, and then the hands – the touch. After meditating on the One who perfectly displayed love, John, as we should too, concluded that truly this Man is unique!

In this opening verse of 1 John, the apostle began with that “which we have heard.” The disciples actually heard a Man speaking and realized this was no ordinary Man. They listened intently and then passed on to us what they had heard. The multitude marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth (Lk. 4:22). “They were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority” (v.32). On another occasion the officers said, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (Jn. 7:46). To the disciples Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life” (6:63). That is to say, His words produced a spiritual and life-giving effect in those who heard. This can be said of no one else.

The apostle then continued to speak of that “which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon.” The thought is to look upon and contemplate. Rather than just a casual glance, it means to take time and reflect on the One on whom our eyes are fixed – Jesus. In Luke 5 we see the Man who can forgive sins, and the large crowd witnessing this reasoned, “Who can forgive sins but God alone.” The multitude that heard Jesus speak and saw what He did were amazed, saying, “We have seen strange things today!” (v.26).

The Samaritan woman, after her encounter with Jesus at the well of Sychar, went to the men of her city and said, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (Jn. 4:29). Jesus was more than a Jew and more than a prophet; He was indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God. He opened her heart and revealed the Father, who is seeking worshipers to worship in spirit and truth.

Is this not a voice for us today? We who are wonderfully privileged to focus our eyes – our spiritual vision – upon Jesus, read these words:

  • “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels … crowned with glory and honor” (Heb. 2:9), and
  • “But we all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18 JND).

We know who He is, Son of God and Son of Man – the One who loves us and came down from heaven to save us and reveal the Father’s love.

In 1 John 1:1 we then read about what “our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life” (KJV). After His resurrection the Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see” (Lk. 24:39). The word “handle” means to feel or touch, and the meaning is the same in this passage as in our text.

In Luke 5 we see Jesus in a city where a man full of leprosy saw Him and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus responded, putting out His hand and touching him while saying, “I am willing; be cleansed,” and immediately the leprosy left him (vv.12-13 NKJV). In Luke 8:43-48 we find a woman with a flow of blood for twelve years who came and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. When Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”, the woman came forward, trembling, and declared that immediately upon touching Him she was healed. Jesus’ answer to her is remarkably beautiful: “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

We have traced a little of the life of the Lord Jesus and found that He was available to all that were in distress. He was able and willing to reach out to all with acts of kindness and words of comfort, showing forth the Father’s love. May all who read this find comfort and strength by looking off unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.

The World’s Nice Guys And God’s Good Guys

By Alan H. Crosby

A Nice Guy And Eternal Life
The rich young ruler (Mt. 19:16-22; Mk. 10:17-22; Lk. 18:18-24) was a nice guy, but he did not have eternal life. He came to Jesus asking, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life”? (Mt. 19:16 ESV). This man seemingly had kept all God’s commandments from his youth (Lk. 18:21) – he was indeed a nice guy! Feeling that he may be lacking something he asked, “What do I still lack?” (Mt. 19:20). He did not love his neighbor as himself, and he was not a follower of Jesus, the Son of God. His lacks were revealed when our Lord answered his question, saying, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor … and come, follow Me, and he went away sorrowful” (vv.21-22).

This example shows us that keeping the law is not the way to obtain salvation, nor is it by being a nice guy. Eternal life is not the result of what we do, instead “it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). Eternal life is given to whosoever believes in the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16), and believing in Him means becoming His follower!

There are nice guys today who want nothing to do with God. They think they are so good that they have no need of a savior. There are also those who seem to be nice guys because they will seek to do whatever they think will be pleasing to others, but they will not hesitate to severely harm anyone who opposes them.

We Are To Be Good Guys
Believers are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God proposed beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). These good works will be the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22), whom we acquire with the new birth. Persons characterized by the fruit of the Spirit may be called “God’s good guys” as contrasted with the world’s nice guys.

God’s good guys will:

  • Display love – “brotherly affection” (Rom. 12:10),
  • “Count it … joy when they meet trials of various kinds” (Jas. 1:3),
  • Live, as far as it depends on them, “peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18),
  • Be “kind to everyone … patiently enduring evil” (2 Tim. 2:24),
  • Correct their “opponents with gentleness” (v.25), and
  • Be known for their “self-control” under provocation (Mt. 5:39).

The perfect example for us to follow is that of our Lord Jesus Christ, who alone can say, “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him [God the Father]” (Jn. 8:29).

Why Then Was Our Lord Hated?
He was not a nice guy from the world’s viewpoint. Why not? Because He would always do what pleased the Father rather than what pleased those around Him. Consider some examples:

  • He allowed the destruction of a herd of about 2,000 pigs, a valuable property on which people depended for their living. Certainly they did not think that destroying these pigs was nice at all, and the people “begged Him to leave their region” (Mt. 8:34).
  • Peter, a disciple, began to rebuke the Lord, who just said about Himself that He would suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be killed (16:22). The Father was pleased for our Lord to deal with Peter’s rash comment by saying, “Get thee behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me” (v.23). Surely, Peter’s initial thought in this instance was that our Lord was not being very nice.
  • Similarly, the businessmen who “sold and bought in the temple” did not consider Him to be a nice guy when He overturned their tables and seats (21:12). God wanted what they were doing to be clearly condemned because, as our Lord said, they had made what God had intended to be a “house of prayer” into a “den of robbers” (vv.12-13).
  • In the presence of crowds of people, our Lord said that the scribes and Pharisees did not practice what they preached (23:1-3). Even worse, He likened them to poisonous “serpents,” a “brood of vipers” (v.33). God did not want His people to be deceived by their outward appearance of righteousness when those presenting it were “full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (v.28).

Nobody using worldly standards would want to be treated as these were in our examples. Rather, nearly everyone wants be thought of as being one of God’s good guys even if they are not.

Being God’s Good Guy Brings Hatred
Do you think that being like our Lord Jesus will cause you to be liked? Far from it! He was hated – and his haters sought to kill Him (Jn. 7:11). If we live a godly life, doing God’s will, our Lord tells us that we will be hated just as He was: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you!” (Jn. 15:20). Yet, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

There Is A Choice
There are two options: I can be “seeking the approval of men or of God” (Gal. 1:10). The apostle Paul made his choice and said, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

What about you? Do you desire to please men as one of the world’s nice guys or do you want to be a servant of Christ as one of God’s truly good guys? Which do you choose?