Faith
RA Torrey, What the Bible Teaches

Posted on November 15, 2012 by JohnJ


I’m qualified to discuss the topic of Faith. 1 Why? Because I’ve received a Divine revelation. (Uh-oh, you’re thinking to yourself!) But I’ll admit I’m not uniquely qualified. The reason? Because every genuine Christian has received this same Divine revelation. The verse in Matthew explains succinctly: “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 16:17 (see Matt. 16:15-17) This is what drives pre-Christians crazy. This is knowledge that is outside their grasp and they don’t like being outsiders so they reason that Christians are just goofy. Until that day that the Lord opens their eyes and they see the truth and their hearts are illuminated and they become Believers. Then they become a pain to other pre-Christians not understanding why non-believers don’t see the truth the way they now see. Funny how this all works. 2

Funny too how, how since Faith is the number one way people get saved – OK, the only way people get saved – that there is only one place in all of Scripture where the word is actually defined. There are plenty of places where faith is used and described in action, especially (and beautifully) in all of Hebrews chapter 11. But if you were asked for a definition you could find it in only one place. Hebrews 11.1. More on that in a moment. But first I have to opine the misuse of the word Faith. Faith is not the same as Religion or organization, in my opinion. There is no Protestant Faith, no Catholic Faith, no Muslim Faith, no Buddhist, Hindu, or Agnostic Faith. There are Religions galore in this world. Man has had no problem making up all kinds of rules and regulations to explain his way to the God he has rejected and has replaced by every other creature and creation. But from the Christian perspective these can not be called Faiths. This is specifically because of the definition found in Hebrews 11:1.

Which reads, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” At its foundation, Faith is assurance, meaning “certainty.” Faith is knowing. It is not guessing. It is not “I’m pretty sure,” or “I think so,” or “I sure hope so, or probably.” Or the odds tell us.” It is “yes, I know.” And the reason for this certainty is as explained in Matthew 16:17 above, “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” You’re living your life, minding your own business and at some point God personally intervenes and your eyes and mind are opened, the eyes of your heart see Him for who He really is and your life is changed forever. Before you knew about God, now you know Him. He shows you the ultimate reality and you are born again. That is the New Testament experience and it hasn’t changed in two thousand years, it keeps happening every day around the world.

In this chapter of What the Bible Teaches Torrey first writes about faith in connection with prayer and with God and with Jesus Christ. And in each connection the link is the knowing, the certainty. Pray knowing God can grant your prayer, know that God is who He says He is, and know that Jesus is the person and power He claims to be. In the gospels people heard Jesus speak and were confident that what He says was the truth and acted on that by asking Him to heal their sons, daughters, servants, or they touched His cloak and were healed. Because they knew He was who He said He was because of His words.

Torrey talks at length about saving faith. That it comes from the heart, not from the intellect. Torry discusses all the normal preaching points of saving faith: seeing one’s own need, repentance from sin, hearing the gospel story, being born again. And that there must be fruit of that faith; what James calls “works” in his letter is probably better termed fruit (James 2:17-26). Torrey also advises that even though difficult time inevitably follow the initial flush of joy in the glory of seeing God face to face as it were, perseverance will have its reward, as Paul says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 Those words from a man who saw plenty of suffering! But his eyes were always on Jesus, never wavering. Because he knew from where faith began and ended.

This is the concept we need to learn and for most of us, in this world full of so many distractions it is a wonder we really ever look at Jesus in our daily lives at all. But we need to remember that to have any success in living a life in the fulness of faith we need to be constant in our keeping our eyes on Jesus. In a literal meaning of the term. Just as is declared in Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” And considering the brutality of the Passion that Jesus went through, He knew the outcome was the salvation of so many souls, out of Satan’s death-grip. And that was something He could be joyous about!

[Scriptures taken from the New American Standard Bible © 1995]


1 This the 39th chapter of 52 in RA Torrey’s 1898 publication What The Bible Teaches. We are reviewing them hoping you’ll join the conversation. See all of Lex’s posts here. A PDF copy of the book can be downloaded here. You are welcome and encouraged to join the discussion in your comments to these posts.


2 There are lots of other verses especially in the gospel of John concerning the Father’s gift of revelation to the believer. And by that I don’t mean special revelation like the false prophets of a Mary Baker Eddy or Joseph Smith, but to be able to understand the Scriptures by the guidance of the holy Spirit. See verses such as these in John John 16:13-15 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”

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RA Torrey, What the Bible Teaches

The Blessing at Mealtime

Posted on November 11, 2012 by JohnJ


When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.
Deuteronomy 8:10

In the Parade Magazine that accompanies the Sunday newspaper there occurs at the end a short article called Views about a variety of topics. Today’s topic is “Counting our Blessings” by Anne Lamott (November 11, 2012) and is a heartfelt story about growing up in a family saying “grace,” or not, before meals. It is a very enjoyable read.

It reminded me that there is a Biblical precedent for saying Grace that began in the book of Exodus as God led His people into the Wilderness after freeing them from slavery from Egypt. Many people probably don’t know this and think that mealtime Grace is a recent convention. But it it looks like has longstanding roots.

It also was a prayer, as you’ll notice from the verse above, that was said at the end of the meal. Today we say Grace at the beginning. It seems right to pray before we eat, to thank God for giving us such blessings that so many in the world do not have. Especially considering recent events in northeast United States that have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy and then followed immediately by a cruel frigid nor’easter. So many without power, food, shelter for so long. While the rest of us continue to be blessed with all of this and more. Thank God for so many people that have streamed to this area to help those in need.

But the prayer that God told His people to say was a prayer after they have eaten. It is a prayer of being satisfied. It must be stated that this prayer is is not said in isolation. The context is that God is making certain promises to the people. He will bring the people into the land He promised them and will give to them every good thing, and will not bring any of the curses on them that He spread on the current sinful inhabitants (read chapter 7) – if His people merely maintain obedience to Him (read all of chapter 8).

So being thankful is a vital part of one’s relationship to God. As President Obama famously stated recently, “you didn’t make all this yourself, some one helped you.” Well, in a broader sense this is most certainly true. Without God, whether you know it or not, you would not be able to do any of the things you are able to do. And a grateful heart is an important part of love for a gracious Father who gives to us in such super-abundance whether we deserve it or not, and usually we don’t.

Isn’t that why the prayer at mealtime is called “Grace?”

[Scriptures taken from the New American Standard Bible © 1995]

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Sanctification
RA Torrey, What the Bible Teaches

Posted on November 1, 2012 by JohnJ


… according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
1 Peter 1:2

In this chapter Torrey 1 discusses the mysteries of sanctification. Let’s summaries his lengthy synopsis.

There are three meanings of sanctification in the Old Testament. One is to be “set apart.” Psalm 4:3 Ex. 13:2 God chose Israel and set them apart from every other nation to be His chosen people.

A second meaning is that of “holiness,” or “cleanness,” “to remove all defilement.” Lev. 11:44

A third use of sanctification is such as God sanctifying Himself among the nations, that His name will be holy, as revealed to all peoples. Ezek. 36:23

Now in the New Testament there are a number of ways the saints are sanctified, in fact the word saint has its origin in the idea of being set apart, consecrated to God. And not surprisingly, in the New Testament, God does all the work. See Jesus prayer to His Father, John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

Sanctification comes:

— by Jesus’ blood as Torrey writes “The blood cleanses us from all the guilt of sin and thus separates us from the mass of men under the curse of the law and sets us apart for God.” (see 1 John 1:7,9)

— by the which Word sanctifies the believer – John 15:3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

— by Jesus Christ Himself who has become our sanctification – Rom. 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

Sanctification is something to be pursued. You have to see the need for it and want it. “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” Heb. 12:14. It’s not accidental blessing.

Sanctification takes place at the time of salvation and continues throughout life until death. (Rom 6:22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.)

If you get the feeling as a Christian that you just don’t fit in with the world around you, don’t be too surprised. You should rather be concerned if you felt that you fit in quite comfortably with the world. Rom_12:2 It would indicate you had some heavy soul searching to do.

[Scriptures taken from the New American Standard Bible © 1995]


1 This the 37th chapter of 52 in RA Torrey’s 1898 publication What The Bible Teaches. We are reviewing them hoping you’ll join the conversation. See all of Lex’s posts here. A PDF copy of the book can be downloaded here. You are welcome and encouraged to join the discussion in your comments to these posts.

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The Perils of Preaching and Prophesy

Posted on October 27, 2012 by JohnJ

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke 4:16-21

There’s some truth to the proverb “you can’t go home again.” Jesus found this out the hard way. According to the account in the Gospel of Luke chapter 4 Jesus returned to his hometown, Nazareth, at the beginning of his ministry. This was right after he appeared to John the Baptist, was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove and a voice was heard saying “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Luke 3:22. After which Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days fasting and being tempted by the devil. Then he visited Galilee preaching the gospel. ( Luke 4:14-15)

But he decides to visit the town in which he grew up, where people would still be alive who would know some of his family and childhood history. He seemed to know there would be a different reception here but he was sent for the purpose of preaching the gospel to the house of Israel, so Nazareth was on the tour.

He enters the synagogue and during the service they give him the scroll of Isaiah. He opens the scroll containing hand-printed characters in lines with no spaces between characters nor words, no punctuation, no paragraphs, but he, being the Author of the Word, knows exactly where every syllable is located, and he easily finds precisely where he wants to begin and reads (see above, all caps). And finishing he tells them something no person has ever been told before – that a prophesy has been fulfilled in their hearing!

Then something remarkable started to happen. It seems he got a mixed response. “And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips” Luke records in v. 22. And at the same time they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” and other things indicating their confusion about who this person was. (See Matt. 13:54 and Mark 6:2)

But Jesus, not known for maintaining ambiguity, cuts to the chase and exposes their hearts. Just like the old saying, “familiarity breeds contempt,” the crowd thought they knew him and how could this man who grew up with them be anything special, be anything but someone just like them, poor sinners with the same wants and needs that they’ve struggled with all their lives. So Jesus speaks candidly to them.

“No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.'” And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. Luke 4:23

But he doesn’t stop there. There are some deeper issues the citizens of Nazareth are dealing with, otherwise, since they’ve heard about the miracles and the gospel he’s preached in Galilee these people would have welcomed him with rejoicing. But instead they keep him in reserve, so they obviously have some issues with him and he knows this. Because he then launches into a scathing rebuke relating the Old Testament prophets that were sent, not to Israel, but to foreigners, because of Israel’s hardheartedness.

“But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” vv. 4:25-27

Oh, they pick right up on this, there is no mistaking that message! And there is no ambiguity in their response either. With one accord they are enraged and rush him right out of town to the nearest cliff to throw him off! How many times have you seen a church congregation react like that to a preacher’s sermon? Not for a few hundred years I’d guess. At least not in Western Civilization.

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way. v4:28-30

His time had not yet come so by some miraculous means he eludes their clutches. And this is just in the early weeks of his ministry! He had only begun to rile up the masses, not to mention the religious leaders! But it is interesting to see what can happen when people who think they know Jesus Christ give a cursory look at him and don’t really make a careful evaluation of his person and message. They think they know him and based on incorrect assumptions reject him. And rejecting him, lose any hope of life and freedom. Or worse, in hostility, make an enemy of him.

It pays to understand what you believe and not parrot what you have been taught. You must take it to heart and own it. Read the Word. All of it. It is all important. Absorb it. Live it. It will become part of you.

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Who’s Your Daddy?

Posted on October 26, 2012 by JohnJ


But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name John 1:12
They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus *said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. John 8:39

It is often the case with humans, the family is of primary importance in life, growing up, nurturing, development. It serves as the basis for who we are and who we become. Not the least of which laying the foundation of heredity and inheritance.

To Old Testament Israel inheritance was paramount since promises made to Abraham followed only one particular genealogical line from Abraham’s seed. The Jews were favored with inheriting all those promises made by God to Abraham. Gen 12:7 Deut. 30.6-19 Or so they thought until Jesus came on the scene preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus was rude enough to point out to them the dirty little secret that the heredity was more important than what made the heredity special.

The Gospel of John describes some pointed and disturbing conversations between Jesus and the religious rulers of the day. To an alarming degree the parallels between some religious rulers and officials of today are striking. Jesus complained that some preferred the love of the letter of the Law than understanding its spirit, standing on ceremony and not showing the people how to enter the kingdom. Mat_23:13 Luke 11:40-52

 

What could be more repulsive to Jesus than to see the religious leaders, the shepherds who had charge of His Father’s sheep, intentionally keeping souls outside of the kingdom? God through the prophets excoriated their fathers for this very thing! Jer_23:1 Jer_50:6 Eze_34:8 Even today, how infuriated must our Lord be that ordained individuals can stand in pulpits in churches around the country and the world and preach everything except the gospel that points to a saving faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and instead squawk a watered-down socialized gospel of works! Wasn’t this what broke Jesus’ heart?

And so with the authority that was given to Him by His Father He could speak the words that John records in his gospel, words that I don’t think you nor I could get away with today, the words found in John chapter 8 when the Jewish rulers argued with Jesus about who He is and about His Father, and He finally pointedly tells them who their father really is.

They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”
Jesus *said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father.”
They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. John 8:39-45

Yes, Jesus could get away with telling the priests of His day that they were in league with the devil and were doing his work hiding behind religious ceremony as a substitute for spirituality, all the while keeping the sheep out of the kingdom of heaven by not telling them how they really can gain entrance. How many people are sitting in the pews today that have no idea that merely and blindly being obedient to rules and ceremonies have no intrinsic value or capacity to further one’s access to heaven? How many of them have a closed and never opened Bible in their possession, not having the faintest understanding that if they started reading the precious words written by their Savior that are inside that these could lead them to a saving and living faith in a living and intimate God?

So Jesus comes to tell us who His Father is and permit us to not only come to know Him but to become His child. He wants to adopt us into His family. We who are completely alienated from Him, not even from the same gene pool, He chooses to bring us into His family. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name John 1:12  We actually join the family of God! And He is proud to call us His children, and we inherit all the benefits of His glory.  Romans 8:18 Eph. 1:18.

Sometime people have a difficult time approaching the topic of adoption with their adopted children. With the Christian it is something to be cherished, as it usually is in human families. But in God’s family it is joy inexpressible! Because we have the best Father possible.

[Scriptures taken from the New American Standard Bible © 1995]

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