Security in Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 41:1-18

 

Jeremiah 38:17-18

Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If you will surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then your life shall be spared, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live. 18 But if you do not surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand.”

(ESV)

 

Security is something people strive to achieve in their lives. However, when we place our hope of security on something created by God instead of God Himself, it will fail us. This does not mean that God’s created things are bad, but they are part of a corrupted world and will fail. A wise person seeks his or her security in God the creator and not created things (Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5).

 

Gedaliah received warning of a threat to his life and instead of heeding the warning, chose to ignore it (Jeremiah 40:13-16). Part of this warning was asking permission to kill Ishmael, the one issuing the threat. While we do not know what Gedaliah trusted in for his security, it is obvious he did not trust the warning he previously received. This resulted in not only his death but also the deaths of the Judeans and Chaldean soldiers who happened to be with Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-3).

 

Unaware of the murder of Gedaliah, eighty men arrived from Shechem to bring grain offerings and incense to the Temple (Jeremiah 41:4-5). Ishmael lures these men in by coming out from Mizpah weeping and telling the men to come to Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:6). Once the men enter the city, Ishmael murders them and casts their bodies into a cistern but ten men are spared because they let Gedaliah know they have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in fields (Jeremiah 41:7-8). The cistern where Ishmael threw the bodies of those he had murdered was designed for defense against Baasha king of Israel but now is a mass grave for those slain by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:9). Ishmael then takes the remaining people in Mizpah captive intending to cross over to the Ammonites with them (Jeremiah 41:10). However, Johanan hears of the evil done by Ishmael and takes his men to fight against Ishmael, confronting him at the great pool in Gibeon (Jeremiah 41:11-12). Upon seeing Johanan, the people rejoiced with those taken captive by Ishmael turning around to join Johanan (Jeremiah 41:13-14). Ishmael manages to escape Johanan with eight men, going to the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:15). Johanan takes those rescued from Ishmael to Gibeon, intending to flee to Egypt for safety out of fear of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 41:16-18).

 

Gedaliah could have escaped assassination by heeding the warning of Johanan and allowing him to take out Ishmael (Jeremiah 40:13-16). While Scripture does not cite the warning of Johanan as coming from the Lord, Gedaliah’s kindness towards the Jews remaining in Judah makes it reasonable God sent Johanan to allow Gedaliah to spare his life. Not only would heeding the warning have saved Gedaliah’s life but it also would have spared the lives of the Judeans with Gedaliah along with the Chaldean soldiers who happened to be there (Jeremiah 41:3).

 

Hearing of the kindness of Gedaliah towards the exiles remaining in Judea caused many to return to Judea believing they would escape the oppression of exile (Jeremiah 40:11-12). While it is reasonable to side with those returning to the land after seeing the kindness of Gedaliah towards the exiles, the Lord told those in Jerusalem and Judah to go to Babylon where they would be safe (Jeremiah 38:17-18). The exiles returning and remaining in Judah had a false sense of security that Governor Gedaliah would keep them safe but with that safety removed because of Gedaliah’s assassination, the people must turn elsewhere for security. However, instead of turning to the Lord for security, the people intend on returning to Egypt, symbolic of the world, instead of God (Jeremiah 41:17-18).

 

We live in a dangerous world with a culture that continues to slide down the slippery slope of ungodliness. While the Supreme Court in the United States has reversed Roe v. Wade, returning the debate on abortion to the states, those supporting abortion and the murder of the unborn still work to make abortion legal. Scripture reminds us that the baby in the womb is formed by God and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14) reminding us of the value God places on life in the womb. Psalm 139:13 also reminds us that God formed our inward parts which include the parts determining one’s gender. To believe the gender we were born with is a mistake is a slap in the face of God, telling Him he made a mistake with our gender at birth.

 

The lessons from Jeremiah 41 are,

 

1)         Be men and women of the Word like the Bereans who daily examined and studied the Word of God (Acts 17:10-12). This makes it possible for us to discern world events with a Biblical basis of truth, providing a Biblical worldview of issues, and warning us of the consequences of a society sliding down the slippery slope of ungodliness.

2)         Seek security in a relationship with Christ and not the world. While God does use the systems of the world to protect His people at times, like the provision of safety for the Jews going to Babylon, this should not be the initial place where a believer turns for security. Instead, the security of a believer lies in a relationship with Christ, the one who takes our burdens and gives us rest (Matthew 11:25-30).

 

If you are reading this and do not have a relationship with God through acceptance of Jesus as your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Gods Sovern Choice

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 9:1-29

 

Romans 9:25-26

As indeed he says in Hosea,

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
    and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
²⁶ “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
    there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

(ESV)

 

Does God have a predestined will for every individual and does this will include the creation of some individuals for death or destruction in their sins and others for eternal life? Scripture is clear that salvation is available to all who choose to believe (John 3:16) and that God does not want anyone to die in his or her sins (2 Peter 3:9). However, Romans 9:21-23 seems to indicate some people are destined for destruction with others destined to glorify God. A deeper study of Romans 9:1-29 in both its context and the entirety of the Bible provides clarification

 

Paul begins the passage by sharing the great sorrow of his heart regarding the failure of many of his fellow Jews to accept their Messiah (Romans 9:1-3). The Jews have ample resources to assist their discovery that Jesus is their Messiah for they have adoption as God’s chosen people, the glory of God present in the Temple, the covenants, the Law, the worship, and the promises (Romans 9:4). The Jews also have the heritage of the Patriarchs (Romans 9:5).

 

Paul continues by stating that the Word of God has not failed because the Jews do not recognize Jesus as Messiah but that it is a matter of their choice not to be children of the promise but to remain in the flesh (Romans 9:6-13). This does not mean God is unjust but indicates that acceptance of Jesus as Messiah is an individual’s choice with the Word of God providing evidence of Jesus as Messiah (Romans 9:14-15). In addition, the path to salvation is not created through human effort but the result of the mercy of God (Romans 9:16). Using the example of Pharoah, Paul reminds us that God raised Pharoah so He could show His power on all the earth (Romans 9:17). Pharoah could have let the Israelites go at any time, avoiding the loss of the firstborn of Egypt but chose to remain hard in his heart. Therefore, it was not God who predestined Pharoah to have a hardness of heart but Pharoah who chose to remain hard in his heart and not let the Israelites go (Romans 9:18).

 

Paul then posits the question of why one would ask why God still finds fault and who can resist his will (Romans 9:19). The answer to these questions is another question asking why one would answer back to God, the creator of the universe (Romans 9:20). Referring to God as the potter, Paul states that God has the right to make one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use (Romans 9:21). Paul then posits the possibility of God enduring with patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction to demonstrate his power through vessels prepared for glory, including both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 9:22-23). Paul then quotes the prophet Hosea who spoke of God making salvation possible for Gentiles (Hosea 1:10; Romans 9:25-26). Even though Israel's numbers are as the sand in the sea, only a remnant will be saved (Isaiah 1:9; Romans 9:27-29).

 

Some have interpreted Romans 9:1-29 to support a theology of predestination with God creating some individuals for destruction and others for His glory (Romans 9:22-23). However, this would contradict other teachings in the Bible that teach salvation is by grace, available to all, and God not willing for any to perish (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9). 2 Peter 3:9 tells that the heart of God is that none of humanity should perish in his or her sins. John 3:16-17 tells us that God loves humanity and sent His son to save the world, not condemn it. If one dies in his or her sin, it is because they choose not to accept the gift of salvation from God through Christ (John 3:18). The predestination of God is salvation for all humanity through Jesus and not die in their sins by his grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unfortunately, some will choose to die in their sins, but this is not God’s predestined will for their life. Instead, God creates the vessel, us, and allows us to fill our vessel with the good things of God or leave our vessel full of sin.

 

God’s calling on one’s life comes in three forms,

 

1)      General calling – for all to call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13) because God does not want anyone to die in his or her sin (2 Peter 3:9). This is God’s predestined will for all humanity, but some will choose not to accept it.

2)      Vocational calling – Answering the calling to a specific vocation where one serves Christ based upon their specific gifting from God that can be in the Church or outside the Church. When we think of serving God, we can mistakenly believe this involves one working in the Church as a vocation. However, James 3:1 states that not all believers should become teachers but all are encouraged to serve God using the gifts given them by God (1 Peter 4:10-11).

3)      Calling to live for Christ – A calling to live a life devoted to God through the study of the Word of God (the Bible), prayer, and association with other believers through regular Church attendance. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the world and its system but to instead experience transformation through the renewing of our minds. This is also a general calling but only reserved for those choosing to make Jesus their savior.

 

If you are reading this and have never made Jesus your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Safety in Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 40:1-16

 

Jeremiah 40:4

Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go.

(ESV)

 

In 2 Timothy 1:7, God lets us know that He has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and soundness of mind. God’s Word also tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). However, is it a lack of faith for one to receive help from ungodly sources or people and to use common sense when warned about impending harm? Jeremiah 40:1-16 gives us an answer to this question.

 

Jeremiah receives a word from the Lord through an unusual source, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard. The word from the Lord gives Jeremiah a choice to either go with the people going to Babylon into exile or remain in Judah with the poor remaining there (Jeremiah 40:1-4). The choice of remaining in Judah seems to go against the previous word of the Lord issued by Jeremiah to go to Babylon for safety or die by the sword, famine, or pestilence in Judah (Jeremiah 38:2-3). However, the choice to stay comes with instructions to return to Gedaliah who was appointed governor by the king of Babylon over the people of Judah (Jeremiah 40:5). Jeremiah chooses to remain in Judah under the care of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:6).

 

Gedaliah is an unusual source of protection for Jeremiah and the poor remaining in Judah, and a leader committed to the men, women, and children he is appointed to govern (Jeremiah 40:7-8). Gedaliah also provides comfort for those remaining in Judah by telling them not to fear the Chaldeans and to serve the king of Babylon so all will go well with them (Jeremiah 40:9). Gedaliah also promises to remain in Mizpah as a representative for the people before the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 40:10). The concern for those in Judah demonstrated by Gedaliah is heard by the Judeans in Moab, among the Ammonites, and in Edom with them also returning to Judah (Jeremiah 40:11-12).

 

However, this peace and protection are threatened by a threat to the life of Gedaliah from Ismael (Jeremiah 40:13-14). When informed of this threat, Gedaliah chooses to ignore it and even denies Johanan permission to take out Ismael (Jeremiah 40:15). Gedaliah believes the word of a threat from Ishmael is false when it is true (Jeremiah 40:16-41:3).

 

Jeremiah chooses to remain in Judah with the remnant of the poorest people remaining there (Jeremiah 39:10). While these people had nothing to offer the king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan did give them vineyards and fields to sustain them while in Judah. Jeremiah’s choice to remain in Judah seems to go against the Word of the Lord to those in Judah, telling them to go into exile to find safety (Jeremiah 38:2-3). However, Jeremiah receives a word from the Lord through Nebuzaradan, offering Jeremiah a choice to remain in Judah or go into exile (Jeremiah 40:1-4). While not clear in scripture, it is possible Jeremiah knew of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who were going into exile, believing the exiles would continue to hear from the Lord in their captivity (Daniel 1:1-7). Based on this knowledge, Jeremiah may have chosen to remain in Judah and minister to the poor remaining in the land. This will become increasingly important after the execution of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-3).

 

There are three applications of this passage in the life of a believer today

 

1)     Safety in Christ (Jeremiah 40:1-6) – Although those obedient to the Lord will find protection by going into exile due to their disobedience, Jeremiah has remained obedient to the Lord and is given a choice of going into exile or remaining in Judah. Those obedient to the Lord may have a calling from God to do something that appears dangerous on the surface but when this calling is based upon a word of the Lord, one called by God can rest assured in God’s protection.

2)     Protection and resources from unusual sources (Jeremiah 40:7-12) – The king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah as governor of the cities of Judah (Jeremiah 40:5). While not a Jewish leader in Judah, he understands Jeremiah is a prophet from God and brings the word of the Lord, promising safety to Jeremiah and the remnant in Judah (Jeremiah 40:9-10). God may use unusual sources or people of the world to provide protection and resources for God’s people (Ezra 1; Mark 15:43; Nehemiah 2).

3)     Heeding warnings from the Lord (Jeremiah 40:13-16) – Gedaliah is involved in the good work of protecting the prophet Jeremiah and the remnant of poor remaining in Judah but receives word from Johanan regarding a threat to his life (Jeremiah 40:13-14). While having faith in God to provide protection is part of ministry, it does not mean one should ignore warnings of threats to their ministry or life. Taking precautions to ensure the protection of one’s life or ministry is not a sign of a lack of faith but instead wisdom. Paul understood this and used common sense when receiving word of a threat to his life (Acts 23:12-35).

 

As children of God, we have safety in Christ with God providing resources and protection from many sources but must not abandon common sense for the God of miracles we have faith in has also provided us with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). If you are reading this and have not entered a life of safety in Christ through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Love Like no Other

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 8:31-39

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

(ESV)

 

In the previous posting in the study of the book of Romans, we looked at the glorious future each person accepting Jesus as their savior has (Romans 8:18-30). Not only do Christians have a glorious future but it is a future full of God’s everlasting love. During times of tribulation and struggle, we can become depressed and full of worry but with the hope of a glorious future coupled with knowing God loves us with everlasting love, we will prevail. Romans 8:31-39 is a pep talk to Roman believers struggling with persecution that still serves to encourage believers today, reminding us that God’s love is like no other.

 

Paul begins his pep talk by reminding us that if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31). If one has any doubt about God being for us, it evaporates when one considers the extent of God’s love demonstrated by His willingness to give up his only Son to die for our sins even though we were sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 8:32). No charges can be levied on God’s elect because God has completely justified those believing in His Son with the shed blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7; Romans 8:33). However, not only are we freed from all charges, and justified by the blood of Jesus, we are freed from condemnation for Jesus came to save not condemn, and now sitts at the right hand of God, making intercession for us (John 3:17; Romans 3:34).

 

The pep talk continues with Paul exhorting us that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This includes tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or the sword (Romans 8:35). Paul then quotes Psalm 44:22, reminding us that God’s people are regarded by the world as sheep to be slaughtered and suffer for the sake of Christ (Romans 8:36). In John 16:33, Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble with the reminder that Jesus overcame the world. Therefore, believers in Christ can boldly join Paul in declaring that nothing can separate us from the love of God demonstrated in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).

 

Paul is writing the words of Romans 8:31-39 to Roman believers who may have been suffering persecution and rejection for their faith. This persecution might also have brought with it economic consequences with people in Rome refusing to do business with them or give them employment. They may also have suffered rejection by family and friends. Viewed in this context, this passage is a pep talk offered to discouraged believers, reminding them of their identity in Christ and God’s everlasting love, love like no other.

 

When we make Jesus our Savior, we enter a relationship with Jesus who is God (John 1:1) and loves us unconditionally (Romans 5:8), providing a path to complete redemption and reconciliation with God through Jesus (John 3:16). However, we live in a corrupt and ungodly world where we will suffer persecution (John 16:33). Therefore, Romans 8:31-39 applies to our lives today, reminding us of the unconditional love of Christ. In fact, it is difficult for a believer in Christ to imagine going through the struggles of this world without a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are reading this and trying to navigate the struggles of this world without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to enter a relationship with Christ by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

When in a time of struggle, Romans 8 is a great source of encouragement. This is because it reminds us of our Spirit-filled life (Romans 8:1-11), that we are heirs with Christ (Romans 8:12-17), our future glory (Romans 8:18-30), and the everlasting love of God (Romans 8:31-39). May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post and remember, God loves you.