January 22, 2012
God’s Bottle of Tears – Don R. Patton
“You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8).
In this passage David affords us an amazing insight into the tender, compassionate, caring heart of the one who spoke this universe into existence, the majestic, all powerful being who is described in scripture as our heavenly Father. He has a book which records our tears. He has a tear bottle, perhaps a tear bottle for each of His wandering children.
Ancient “tear bottles,” made similar to wineskins, have actually been excavated by archaeologists in Israel. This discovery is reflected in the New English Translation’s rendition of this passage.
“You keep track of my misery. Put my tears in your leather container! Are they not recorded in your scroll?”
Evidently these small vessels were used to catch and preserve the owner’s tears during times of grief. We recall that this psalm was written by David when he was being pursued by Saul, while at the same time surrounded by Philistines in the city of Goliath. Perhaps David had his own tear bottle. David obviously believed that in some sense, God was also storing up his own personal tears in His own heavenly bottle of tears. The Holy Spirit chose to record a description of a moving event in the life of Jesus which also implies a divine awareness of tears.
“And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.” (Luke 7:37-38).
This woman heaped honor on Jesus by applying precious ointment or perfume to His feet after she had first washed His feet with tears. Some scholars think, as is implied by the text, that these tears came from a tear bottle containing her own tears, which was emptied on His feet. Others argue that those tear bottles that have been found actually contained the collected tears of mourners at a burial site.
Regardless, we are effectively reminded of what we are prone to forget. God knows. He knows our wanderings, our sorrows and all our tears. They are not insignificant to Him. He stores them up. He is not unaware and He does not forget!
January 15, 2012
Perishable versus Imperishable – Don R. Patton
There are profound implications in Peter’s statement that we “have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” (I Peter 1:23).
We have all watched magnificent roses drop their lovely fragrant petals, begin to droop, wither and dry to an ugly, blackened, brittle shell. It is interesting that Paul describes the daughter whose father decided not give her in marriage, as one who was “passed her youth” (I Cor.7:36), using a word which literally means passed her “bloom.” Like it or not, this is the way the world works.
Everything in the physical creation is decaying and dying. In fact, we know that one day “the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” (II Peter 3:10). What will that new Mercedes be worth then?
Even the very seeds which transmit life are “perishable” seed (I Peter 1:23), and Paul describes all mankind as “corruptible man” (Romans 1:23).
True science has demonstrated that this universal principle of decay is one of the most basic laws governing the universe—the second law of thermodynamics. Our own experience teaches effectively that everything is unrelentingly going downhill.
However, even in this degenerating, perishing world, some things are imperishable. God Himself is the “incorruptible God” (Romans 1:23).
Peter says this is true of “the living and enduring word of God.” (I Peter 1:23). Even though “heaven and earth shall pass away,” the words of Christ “will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). When we face the Lord in judgment, we may wish His word had perished with the rest of the world but that word is imperishable. It will still be there to judge us. (John 12:48).
It is reassuring in this perishing world to know that our eternal salvation in Christ is accomplished by that which is imperishable. Peter said “you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (I Peter 1:18-19).
Painful experience educates us to the fact that man made promises fail. Earnest assurances, guilt-edged guarantees often prove useless. How comforting to know that He “has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ” (I Peter 1:3,4).
Long hard hours of diligent effort may produce a fleeting benefit, “a perishable wreath,” but not Christian labor. Our crown is “imperishable.” (I Corinthians 9:25).
Finally, these dying bodies will themselves be redeemed, “the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (I Corinthians 15:52,53).
January 8, 2012
Keep It To Yourself – Don R. Patton
Several months ago a good friend and brother saw that Bill Gates of Microsoft fame, had made public comments depreciating faith in God, along with a number of lame “reasons” for his unbelief. My brother decided to write a letter to this influential businessman regarding his comments, correcting some of his misconceptions and expressing a more reasonable view. He received a response from the billionaire’s secretary saying, “That’s your belief. Keep it to yourself.”
This popular concept is the Devil’s propaganda. He would love for all Christians to swallow it. He preaches that one must be tolerant of fallacious, disrespectful arguments against faith. The Devil wants you to feel that it is “inappropriate” to defend your faith. Much of society seems to have accepted that we should keep our faith to ourselves.
This attitude has been so effectively propagated that we all need to be reminded how different that view is from the teaching of the New Testament.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; Matt.28:19-20
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15
And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Acts 18:4
Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26:28
When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. Acts 28:23
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. II Cor.5:11
“And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. I Cor. 9:16
… knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; Phil. 1:16
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. II Tim. 4:2
Prescribe and teach these things. I Tim. 4:11
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. II Tim. 2:2
Yes, we know what the world thinks about trying to influence the religious thinking of others. From all these passages, there can be no doubt that what God thinks of efforts to teach our neighbors the truth is different. Please consider these admonitions in light of one more passage.
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” Gal. 1:10
January 1, 2012
Do Not Enter – Don R. Patton
“Do not enter
the path of the wicked…”
Proverbs 4:14
In Proverb 14, Solomon, as a deeply concerned parent, pleads passionately.
1 “Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding, 2 For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.”
This parent recalls the instruction he received from his father (David). He now approaches the same issues, but from a different perspective. How different things look through the eyes of a parent.
3 When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, 4 Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words;
This father spoke to his son about wisdom (vs.5-13). Evidently his father’s words were heard. See, it can happen. Solomon learned to appreciate wisdom and prayed for it. Now, as a parent he speaks, understanding that the son is more interested in what is cool (what his peers think) and what is thrilling, at this moment.
This wise parent continues with an even more difficult lesson; the danger of the opposite course. The “way of wisdom” cannot be described without a warning against the “path of the wicked.”
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.
We know the father was not suggesting that his son live as a hermit, though that might be what the son hears. His wisdom does not contradict that of Jesus who acknowledged His disciples could not avoid worldly association. In His prayer for them He said, “‘I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. ‘They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:15-16). He taught that they were to maintain separateness and at the same time “make disciples of all the nations” (Matt.28:19).
The problem we all have is maintaining this balance. Some say, “We must be separate from the world so I don’t need to invite my neighbor into my home to talk about how to go to heaven.” Others say, “We can’t be out of the world, we have to influence the world so…we don’t concern ourselves with dire warnings about continual, preferential associations with the wicked.”
I am confident that Solomon understood the responsibility to be a positive influence but still considered it wise to warn against the real danger of unnecessary choices to walk in the path with the wicked. Different translators express Solomon’s thought in ways that may make the plain admonition even more clear.
Today’s English Version renders this passage “Do not go where evil people go…” The New International Version says. “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked…”
Charles Swindoll wrote a book entitled, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity. (I do not recommend it all, DRP) On page 223 he spins an insightful yarn that may help illustrate Solomon’s warning for us.
Once a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and shiny so that flies would patronize it. The minute he got a ‘customer’ he would clean up on him so the other flies would not get suspicious. Then one day this fairly intelligent fly came buzzing by the clean spider web. Old man spider called out, ‘Come in and sit.’ But the fairly intelligent fly said, ‘No, sir. I don’t see other flies in your house, and I am not going in alone!’ But presently he saw on the floor below, a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid if lots of flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing. Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, ‘Don’t land there, stupid! That’s flypaper!’ But the fairly intelligent fly shouted back, ‘Don’t be silly. Those flies are dancing. There’s a big crowd there. Everybody’s doing it. That many flies can’t be wrong!’ Well, you know what happened. He died on the spot. Some of us want to be with the crowd so badly that we end up in a mess. What does it profit a fly (or a person) if he escapes the web only to end up in the glue?”
December 25, 2011
By Their Fruits – Don R. Patton
Jesus taught that one way we can see under the sheepskin camouflage of “ravenous wolves” is to evaluate the fruits of their teaching.
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20)
Of course the wolves don’t appreciate anyone “blowing their cover” and they howl when their bad fruit is revealed. For example, the current movie, “Expelled” illuminates the contributing relationship between Darwin and Nazis. The evolutionists are screaming.
Expelled’s inflammatory implication that Darwin and the science of evolution “led to” eugenics, Nazis, and Stalinism is deeply offensive and detrimental to public discussion and understanding.
Scientific American editor John Rennie describes this connection as “heavy-handed.” In Reuters, Frank Scheck calls it “truly offensive.”
Others, acknowledge that the Darwin/Nazis relationship is obvious. Jack Cashill, an Emmy-award winning writer and with a Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue, said “If anything, Stein and the makers of ‘Expelled’ understate this historically irrefutable link…” (Worldnetdaily)
The late Stephen J. Gould of Harvard was one of the world’s leading defenders of Darwinism. Nevertheless he acknowledged, “Biological arguments for racism may have been common before 1850, but they increased by orders of magnitude following the acceptance of evolutionary theory.” (Ontogeny and Phylogeny, pp.127-128)
Richard Weikart, Professor of History The University of California, wrote an article for the The American Spectator (4/16/2008) to clarify the relationship between “Darwin and the Nazis.” He listed six principles embedded in Darwin’s world view that cheapen the value of human life, then said, “They, in turn, strongly influenced Hitler.” He added, “…some of the ideas being promoted today by prominent Darwinists in the name of Darwinism have an eerily similar ring to the ideologies that eroded respect for human life in the pre-Nazi era.”
In the movie, Ben Stein reads a chilling passage from Darwin.
“With savages, the weak in body or mind are soon eliminated. We civilized men, on the other hand, do our utmost to check the process of elimination. We build asylums for the imbecile, the maimed and the sick, thus the weak members of civilized societies propagate their kind. No one who has attended to the breeding of domestic animals will doubt that this must be highly injurious to the race of man. Hardly anyone is so ignorant as to allow his worst animals to breed.” (The Descent of Man)
The tree of Darwinism has produced much fruit. Despite loud protestations from the peddlers, fruit inspectors know this fruit stinks. Remember, Jesus said this is one way to know the tree is bad.
December 18, 2011
The Rejected Christ – Don R. Patton
Most of our friends in the denominational world have been deceived by preachers who promote Premillennialism, the popular, prevailing doctrine, that Jesus will return to a renovated earth, establish a physical kingdom and reign from Jerusalem for a thousand years.
Most of these preachers acknowledge that God intended to establish this kingdom when Jesus came the first time, as indicated by the prophets and by Jesus himself.
“And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power,” (Mark 9:1).
But, these preachers tell us God’s plan was not fulfilled. For example, J. Dwight Pentecost said, in his influential book, Things to Come, “The theocratic kingdom offer [was] withdrawn and postponed after the rejection by Israel.” p.456.
When God’s word is distorted, the implications are often not limited to a simple twist. The implications typically go on and on. This invention effectively denies the power of God, the integrity of His Word, the rule of Christ, the time of His kingdom, and the nature of that kingdom. These consequences are clearly seen when we ask the Premillenialists four questions.
(1) Why did an all knowing, all-powerful God not foreknow and prepare for the Jewish rejection of Christ?
The answer is, He did! The rejection and crucifixion of Christ is the heart of God’s purpose. It is central to the eternal plan of salvation.
This was not a surprise to God. Jesus is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8; cf. I Peter 1:17-21).
It was not a surprise to God’s prophets. Isaiah foresaw and plainly foretold His rejection hundreds of years before it happened.
“He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him,” (Isaiah 53:3)
(2) If the Jews had the ability to force God to postpone the reign of Christ once, why not twice?
The answer is, they never had such power!
David foretold that “the people” (Jews) would “take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed [Messiah], saying let us break Their bonds in pieces” (Psalm 2:1-3).
But this foreseen rejection would not deter God’s plan. He promised, “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; …He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” (verses 4-6).
We know that the Lord, through the prophet, is speaking of His Son (verses 7,12). By inspiration, the apostles applied this to the Jews’ rejection, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Acts 4:24-28; 13:33).
(3) Is not “postponed” prophecy simply failed prophecy?
God did not just prophesy the fact of the coming kingdom, but also the time. Daniel said God would set up His kingdom during the days of the fourth world empire, the Roman Empire (Daniel 2:44), and then declared the prophecy “is certain, and its interpretation is sure” (verse 45). No, this prophesy was not postponed. It was established during the Roman Empire, just as the Lord promised.
(4) If the kingdom is material, why did the Jews reject it, since that is what they wanted?
The truth is, premillenialists reject Christ as King today, for the same reason the Jews did then – they want a material kingdom. But the kingdom of Christ “is not of this world” and it is not defended by armed might (John 18:36). The apostle Paul said, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 14:17). Jesus said, “…the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:22).
The Jewish rejection of Christ was not a defeat of God’s plan. It was central to His divine plan from eternity. The Lord God’s plan was not overpowered. He laughed at their efforts and set the Christ on His throne as King of kings and Lord of lords (Psalm 2:12). That is not to be some time in the future. He is there now!
“…He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” Ephesians 1:20-21)
Adapted from an article by Keith Sharp
December 3, 2011
Our Deceitful Heart – Don R. Patton
It is common to hear that we should follow our heart in our service to God. However, Jeremiah says, “The heart is more deceitful than all else…” (Jer.14:7). It is important that we understand that direction derived from our deceitful hearts can deceive us religiously.
We also need to understand that our heart can and does distort perceptions of reality in all our relationships. Dramatic distortions can be either negative or positive, depending on whether the heart is full of love or hate.
Newlyweds can be almost comical in their doting devotion, hence, the expression, “Love is blind.” “When a Man Loves a Woman” is a song recorded by Percy Sledge back in 1966. It climbed to number one on the charts in both America and England. The song says, “When a man loves a woman…If she’s bad he can’t see it. She can do no wrong… If she plays him for a fool He’s the last one to know. Lovin’ eyes can’t ever see.”
Peter commands brethren to “fervently love one another from the heart,” I Peter 1:22. Paul explains some of what that means in I Corinthians 13:4-7. “Love is patient, love is kind …bears all things, believes all things,…”
We must honestly face established facts and ask questions in suspicious circumstances, but brethren who truly love one another gladly give the benefit of the doubt. They automatically see and accept the best explanation possible. When this does not happen, what is the implication? Someone has a heart that has stopped loving fervently.
Negative heart distortions can be just as dramatic and just as comical as the following story illustrates.
Two boys are playing football in the park of a small town in Texas. Suddenly, one of the boys is attacked by a crazed Rottweiler. Thinking quickly, the other boy takes a stick and shoves it under the dog’s collar and twists it. Breaking the dog’s neck, he saves his friend.
A sports reporter who was strolling by sees the incident and rushes over to interview the boy. He tells the boy he’s going to write the story. I’ll title it ‘Young Longhorn Fan Saves Friend from Vicious Animal’.”
“But I’m not a Longhorn fan,” the little hero replies. “Sorry, since we’re in Texas, I just assumed you were,” says the reporter and he starts writing again. He asks, “How does ‘Aggie Fan Rescues Friend From Horrific Attack’… sound?”
“I’m not an Aggie fan either,” the boy says. “Oh, I thought everyone in Texas was either for the Aggies or the Longhorns. What team do you root for?” the reporter asks.
“I’m just visiting my cousin, I’m an OU fan,” the boy replies…. “They’re just the best!”
The reporter smiles, starts a new sheet in his notebook: “Little Red-neck From Oklahoma Kills Beloved Family Pet.”
When bitterness toward brethren is allowed to dwell in our hearts, our perception of everything they do is distorted and it is not funny. Divine wisdom demands,“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice,” Eph.4:31.
The practical results of these two contrasting attitudes are very different. Our heart powerfully influences what we see. When we “love fervently from the heart,” we see the best. When we allow bitterness into our hearts, we can’t see straight. Our perceptions are bent bad. It works automatically, usually without awareness.
These lessons help us appreciate Solomon’s wise admonition: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Prov.4:23.
November 19, 2011
I Believe God – Don R. Patton
“Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told,” Acts 27:25.
Most people in America believe in God and most say they believe the Bible. According to a recent Gallup Poll (July 10, 2011), 49% of Americans say the Bible is the inspired word of God. However, only 30% of respondents agreed that “the Bible is absolutely accurate and should be taken literally word for word.” There is a big difference between the 49% say they believe the Bible is God’s Word and the 30% who believe that it means what it says. To put it in everyday parlance, many “talk a good game” but when it comes down to specific applications, “where the rubber meets the road,” we see a lot of “crawfishing.”
I believe the same kind of inconsistency can be seen in those who say they have faith in God. Sure, many believe there is a God — but it’s a different thing altogether to believe God! And our text makes it clear that believing God simply means believing what He says, “that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.” Paul spoke these words at the height of a terrible storm at sea, when it appeared certain that “all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned,” Acts 27:20. But God had spoken otherwise, and Paul believed God rather than adopting the fears of those around him. Abraham, “the father of all who believe” (Romans 4:11), had set the example. “With respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform,” Romans 4:20-21.
God does not speak to us audibly today as He did to Abraham and Paul, but He does speak far more comprehensively to us through His written Word, and we have even less excuse for unbelief than they had. It is a terrible offense against our Creator to question His Word. This, indeed, was the very sin that led the fall of Adam and Eve.
God said “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (literally, is “God-breathed,” II Timothy 3:16), and thus should be fully believed and explicitly obeyed, for “…the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar,” I John 5:10.
But what about those Scriptures that many modern scientists claim to be wrong? “Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar,” Romans 3:3-4. “For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth…” Psalm 33:4.
The same is true regarding those scriptures that religious leaders say they believe to be God’s word but refuse to acknowledge that they mean what they say.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” I Cor.6:9-10
“THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Heb.10:30-31.
“And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:” II Cor. 9:8.
“…eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you…” I Peter 3:20-21.
Adapted from the late Henry Morris
November 5, 2011
Competent To Counsel – Don R. Patton
Not long ago I received a call from a faithful sister who had witnessed one of my marriage counseling sessions a few years ago. A divine institution, a home had split and she saw the power of divine wisdom put it back together. Now, some of her kinfolk are experiencing similar problems and she has been asked to help (no outsiders allowed). She called asking for advice.
Many would respond, telling her she was not qualified. She needed an expert. I did the opposite. I told her that she had a wonderful opportunity to accomplish unimaginable good and that she was absolutely capable of solving this problem. She has divine wisdom at her disposal, the “mind of Christ,” (I Corinthians12:16).
Paul expressed this kind of confidence in the brethren at Rome when he said, “And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another,” (Romans. 15:14).
The word original word translated “admonish” is from a Greek word which means “to counsel about avoidance or cessation of an improper course of conduct, admonish, warn, instruct,” according to the lexicon, Brown, Driver, Arnt & Gingrich. In this passage Paul is saying that brethren with “the mind of Christ” are competent to counsel.
Actually, this point is usually the first thing that needs to be taught to those desperate enough to ask for help with their marriage problems. They have, no doubt, tried and failed. They are hurting, despondent, and not at all sure that solutions exist. They need hope and we have very good reason to assure them that hope is justified. Peter assures us that we have “everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us…” In other words, we have all the answers!
The suffering couple needs to know this and that they are justified in expecting a wonderful marriage as God designed it, if they are willing to follow God’s plan.
Now what’s the problem? Rest assured, God has provided the answers.
October 29, 2011
Christian Image…
Christian Images – Don R. Patton
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
Christians and their characteristics are described in terms of many colorful metaphors in the Bible. Figures of speech often reach beyond the scope of our literal language and effectively communicate complex concepts in easily understood pictures. Picture what Christ is saying in the above text. Christ calls us “my sheep,” and has also said: “I am the good shepherd, . . . and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14-15). The relationship between sheep and shepherd, familiar to New Testament Christians, beautifully illustrates sacrificial care, guidance, dependency, etc. Jesus says if we are truly His sheep, then we will listen to His voice, follow Him, eager to receive safety, peace, and nourishment.
He has also said: “You are the salt of the earth:…You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14). We are therefore expected to bring the salt of preservation and joy to a bland, tasteless, and otherwise decaying world. We are entrusted with the light of salvation to guide a dark, tragically lost, sinful world to an eternal home in Heaven.
In another beautiful metaphor, the Lord Jesus has likened us to fruitful branches: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Does He see you as fruitful branch or barren, uselessly absorbing nutrients with no produce?
The apostle Paul compares us to soldiers, to athletes, and to farmers: “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. He expects hardship. It’s a part of his job. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. He understands, stepping out of bounds disqualifies. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the bountiful harvest (II Timothy 2:3,5,6). These figures should illustrate and help us understand what Jesus expects of us.
With regard to our Christian life, Christ said “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). The apostle Paul compares us to individual members in a great body. “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” (I Corinthians 12:27). Peter says we are like, “living stones, …being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” He says we are, “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (I Peter 2:5,9).
There are many other beautiful and meaningful figures of speech in the New Testament, all of which help us to appreciate the richness and fruitfulness of the Christian life. (Adapted from article by Henry Morris)
