Another Implication of the World System

Political discussion regarding the election loss for Republicans focuses on Palin being a drag on the ticket. However, because of her evangelical faith I would like to suggest another reason: the “world system” hates Christians because they hate Jesus (see John 14-17).

To an article on the economist.com (follow the link above) I responded with the following:

“At issue is not wither Palin could manage a coalition; it is not an inherent impossibility for a conservative (even a religious one). The issue is wither the liberal media would allow it. They clearly will not because the American left is petrified of a conservative Christian. As the media controls public option, Palin now rests in the company of Dan Quayle.”

The World's System

So it's election time and I wanted to encourage anyone who still looks at this blog to think through voting according to God's kingdom standards and not the wisdom of this world's system.

Some friends of mine in Denver put the following in their latest newsletter, I pilfered it into our bulletin last Sunday and thought it mentioned the idea of the "world's system" quite well:

"The world is a system that is political, financial, social, ethical, and religious and is in opposition to and alienated from the God of the Scriptures….It began with Cain. "Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod [wondering]" east of Eden (Genesis 4:16). Jude identifies the world system as "The way of Cain" [jealousy], the "error of Balaam" [love of money and compromise] and the "rebellion of Korah" [resisting God's leaders and authority] (vs. 11). The Apostle John further identifies examples of the world as the "lust of the flesh" [like Cain] and the "lust of the eyes"[like Balaam] and the "boastful pride of life" [like Korah] (1 John 2:16). The Apostle Paul warns, "see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8)—Bob and Dottie Bingham, September 2008 Update.

I'll try to post "grace" thoughts especially from Isaiah as we continue on in the second half of the book.

Church Unity, Universal

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" Ephesians 4.3-6.

We tend to think of church in the terms of our local assembly. However, Paul is addressing what is known as the universal church: all believers, all over the face of the earth are part of the Body of which Jesus is the head regardless of denomination or culture.

Paul constructs his argument on a Trinitarian foundation. We can unabashedly declare that it is the Father's will for the church to have unity. His will for unity is carried on by the Holy Spirit's "bond of peace". As we focus in on Jesus (read abide John 15) we will cooperate with Jesus' leading and promote unity.

Our part of cooperating with Jesus is to "make every effort to keep the unity". We do not create or manufacture the unity; rather we do our best to not let our petty differences get in the way of pointing each other to Jesus.

In this light, are we praying for all believers: in other churches in our town, state, country, world? Are we cooperating with Jesus by making "every effort to keep the unity" that the Holy Spirit has started? What are your thoughts regarding this line of thought? How could Jesus use you, even in our own town to show a lost and hurting world that we, as the body of Christ, will not allow our petty differences or desire to grow our own local church get in the way of unity?

Unity is the will of the Father!

The Impact of Holiness

As we study on in Isaiah and really deal with these difficult passages of judgment, and not just gloss over them, I pray that we will allow God's Holiness to impact us. This might serve as a good time to remind ourselves of how we studied God's Holiness earlier in Isaiah. We noted that in His holiness God is lofty and exalted (Isaiah 6:1), that in His holiness God is glorious (Isaiah 6:3) and that in His holiness He is morally pure (Isaiah 6:5-7).

The power of a voice proclaiming God's glory can be quite threatening. God's own voice terrifies the Jewish people at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19.18,19; 20.18,19). Here in Isaiah 6.4, "At the sound of their voices the doorposts shook and the temple was filled with smoke". Hebrews 20.18-29 reminds us that even though we have the freedom to approach God we still do so with "reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire"". Finally, in the last days God's own glory and power are so overcoming that no one can be in His presence (Revelation 15.8).

To pray that we will allow God's Holiness to impact us is not a matter to be taken lightly. However, can we purse God in any other way? May Jesus change us to make us more like Him (2 Corinthians 3.18)!

Getting Started in our Lent Study of Jesus in Isaiah

We have already seen Isaiah is so rich and wonderfully applicable to our lives today. As we journey together toward Easter consider Isaiah 56.1-8. Especially in light of hearing Bob and Nancy Haussler's presentation regarding Wycliffe work in the Solomon Islands—verse 7 ought to have a powerful impact in us, "for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations".

For those itching to get started in the devotional guide (which does not start until Ash Wednesday)…consider the use of this quote by Jesus in the gospels (Matthew 21.13; Mark 11.7 and Luke 19.46). Is our worship a place for singing and prayer, a place where the nations (or sojourners) experience Jesus? What are your thoughts regarding worship being a place to manifest social justice concerns (vs. 1)? Are there parallels to our culture regarding this language of eunuchs (vs. 4,5) or the language of foreigners (vs. 6-8)?

Let the conversation begin!