Author: drthomasclothier

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26-27)

Jesus once again mentions the Holy Spirit and His ministry. He does so in the immediate aftermath of having just informed the disciples that the fallen world will hate them as its hated Jesus. But the Holy Spirit will be their Helper.

The word “Helper” (παράκλητος; parakletos) means an encourager, intercessor, mediator and advocate. The Holy Spirit is one who specifically consoles the followers of Jesus. This is the third time Jesus has referred to the Holy Spirit as a Helper (John 14:15-17, 26).

The word “witness” (μαρτυρέω; martyreo) means an individual who provides truthful knowledge and information of which the speaker in question has firsthand knowledge. Believers in Christ possess firsthand knowledge of the truth of the Gospel.

Jesus stated that (1) the Holy Spirit would come and proceed to the disciples from God the Father; (2) The Holy Spirit would be known as the Spirit of truth; (3) The Holy Spirit will bear witness about Jesus; (4) The Holy Spirit will enable the disciples to also bear witness about Jesus.

What was true when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit’s ministry continues to be true today. The Holy Spirit indwells each disciple and follower of Jesus (Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 6:19-20). The Holy Spirit continues to be the Spirit of truth for He breathed out the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit also enables believers to witness to others about Christ (Acts 1:8).

As one commentator explains, “Note that today’s passage, as throughout the Farewell Discourse, applies first to the original disciples. The disciples had a special role in bearing witness to Jesus and a unique authority to deliver to the church what He taught. But we who come after the Apostles are also witnesses to Christ, and the Spirit enables us to hold fast to the prophetic and Apostolic witness to Jesus—the Holy Scriptures.”

As this New Year begins to unfold, how and where may you be a witness for Christ? At work, at home, at school, or by your involvement in extracurricular activities and hobbies? All of these places and more afford each believer an opportunity to patiently and faithfully share the love of God to those who need to hear such a message of truth.

May God be glorified in each one of us as He works through us by the Holy Spirit who is within us.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 15:18-21)

Of the many truthful promises and statements Jesus made, and were recorded in all four gospels, the one’s contained in today’s text are certainly some of the most thought provoking. It should cause us to pause when evaluating our efforts to minister to those belonging to the fallen culture and their responses to the gospel.

There have been times when in seeking to do good for those in need, the responses by unbelievers to the church’s efforts are less than appreciative. I recall when several churches covenanted together to provide meals for families who had recently lost jobs due to a downturn in the economy. The meals were provided free of cost although a donation was graciously accepted if provided. Various people from several church volunteered to cook, serve and clean up after the dinners were served. One church even provided their fellowship hall for the weekly gathering.

Of those who were fed each week, there were some who became rude because they did not receive as much food as they wanted. These were not the previously mentioned families for they proved truly grateful. Rather, these were those who were regular church visitors looking for a handout. For example, they wanted seconds while others had yet to receive firsts and they became angry because their demands were not met. Unfortunately, this was a frequent occurrence and several workers became discouraged that their efforts to minister to those outside the church was met with less than a grateful attitude.

While these examples pale in comparison to the persecution of believers in various parts of the world, it provides a fitting illustration of what Jesus said in today’s text. Believers should expect hatred from the world rather than gratitude.

When Jesus referred to the world, He spoke of the fallen, ungodly world system of thought and behavior which expresses hatred for God and His servants. Jesus said that if, or since, the world hates believers, it is because the world ultimately hates Him.

Jesus wanted His followers to always remember that His servants were not above their Master. If the world hated Jesus, then remember that the world will hate us. If the world persecuted Jesus, then remember that the world will persecute us. Conversely, those who love Jesus will love, and be loved, by us.

The real reason that the world hates Jesus and His servants, is because at the core of their souls they do not know God. Pastor Burk Parsons writes, “The world cannot help but hate us, because those who are in rebellion against God hate everything that is not also in rebellion against Him. Jesus notes that we should not be surprised when the world hates us for following Him, for they hated Him first. If they hated Him and love us, then we would be greater than Him, but since the servants are not greater than the Master, the world’s hatred of Him guarantees it will hate us (John 15:20–21). We will be despised in many circles for keeping the commandments of Christ.”

This despising may occur at work, at home, at school or even in commentary by panelists on a daily, or late night, talk show. The despising of Christ and His followers is frequent, fervent and sometimes even furious.

John Calvin wrote that, “The gospel cannot be published without instantly driving the world to rage.”

Do you want the world to love you? Then belong to the world and its philosophy of life and living. Otherwise, expect opposition, hostility and hatred because you belong to Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:16-17)

Even though this blog is posted for December 29, I am writing it on Thursday, November 8. In case you forgot, Thursday, November 8 was two days after the 2018 mid-term elections for those running for the United States Senate, House of Representatives and various state governorship’s.

According the United States Constitution, citizens of the United States of America have a legal right and responsibility to vote for those who meet the constitutional requirements and qualifications to serve in government. More than a democracy, America is more accurately a representative republic. Those who serve in government are chosen by the will of the people and for the will of the people. In all of recorded history, America is truly a unique experiment.

However, as Americans and conscious humans who possess an intellect, have emotions and exercise a human will we tend to transfer these abilities from God as the rhyme and reason that we are children of God. Much like choosing our representatives in government, we tend to think that we independently and freely chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Lord. In today’s text, Jesus says otherwise.

Jesus said that He chose the eleven unto salvation. To choose, from the Greek word ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai), means to select, call and to name. Jesus made it clear that the disciples did not choose Him but rather He chose them. What was true for the original disciples remains true today.

Jesus also stated that He appointed His disciples. To appoint (τίθημι; tithemi) means to assign, to give a task and to designate people to a particular responsibility. This task, based upon a prior choosing, is for disciples of Jesus Christ to bear fruit. It is also that each disciple will be so in tune with God’s will that their prayers will reflect this perspective and God will give them what they ask.

Dr. John MacArthur explains, “In case any pretense might exist among the disciples in terms of spiritual pride because of the privileges they enjoyed, Jesus made it clear that such privilege rested not in their own merit, but on his sovereign choice of them. God chose Israel (Isa. 45:4; Amos 3:2), but not for any merit (Deut. 7:7; 9:4–6). God elected angels to be forever holy (1 Tim. 5:21). He elected believers to salvation apart from any merit (Matt. 24:24, 31; see notes on Rom. 8:29–33; Eph. 1:3–6; Col. 3:12; Titus 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:2). One purpose of God’s sovereign election is that believers should produce spiritual fruit. The NT describes fruit as godly attitudes (Gal. 5:22–23), righteous behavior (Phil. 1:11), praise (Heb. 13:15), and especially leading others to faith in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God (Rom. 1:13–16).”

The doctrine of election is predominant in John’s Gospel. We have already witnessed and studied it in John 3, 6 and 10. However, we should also remember that while God chooses unto salvation, He subsequently commands us to exercise our redeemed human wills by loving one another.

John Calvin writes, “Men commonly imagine some kind of concurrence to take place between the grace of God and  the will of man; but that contrast, I chose you I was not chosen by you, claims exclusively for Christ alone what is usually divided between Christ and man; as if He had said that a man is not moved of his own accord to seek Christ until he has been sought by Him.” 

This conscious choice on our part is the obedient response by disciples of Jesus Christ resulting from the conscious choice on God’s part in making us His disciples of Jesus Christ in the first place.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13)

After previously referring to the commandments of God in general (John 15:9-11), Jesus now refers to one commandment in particular. The command is to love one another.

The phrase “one another” is frequently found in Scripture: particularly in the New Testament. It refers to the relationship believers have with each other. The word reciprocal, mutual, shared and communal are synonyms.

There are some 59 New Testament references using the phrase “one another” or “each other.” Some examples of the Bible’s teaching regarding the phrase “one another” including the following.

• “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)
• “Live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 12:16)
• “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
• “…Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
• “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32)
• “…Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13)
• “Encourage one another daily…” Hebrews 3:13)

However, far and away the most frequent call by God is for believers to love one another.

• “…Love one another…” (John 13:34).
• “…Love one another…” (John 13:34).
• “…Love one another…” (John 13:35).
• “…Love one another…” (John 15:12).
• “…Love one another” (John 15:17)
• “…Love one another…” (Romans 13:8)
• “…Love each other.” (I Thessalonians 4:9)
• “…Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (I Peter 3:8)
• “…Love one another.” (I John 3:11).
• “…Love one another.” (I John 3:23).
•  “…Love one another.” (I John 4:7).
• “…Love one another.” (I John 4:11).
• “…Love one another.” (I John 4:12).
• “…Love one another.” (II John 5)

While the Apostles Peter and Paul both encourage believers to love one another, the most frequent usage of this particular phrase is found in the Gospel of, and the Epistles of, the Apostle John. He also is the only apostle to record our Lord directly invoking this phrase.

The self-sacrificial love of the will we are to demonstrate toward other believers is based upon a prior love by our Lord towards sinners who become believers by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

How may we love another? Oh my, there are so many ways our love for fellow believers may be demonstrated.

• Sharing a hug.
• Praying for a fellow believer’s needs.
• Visiting someone in the hospital.
• Raking leaves.
• Shoveling or snow blowing a driveway or sidewalk.
• Baking a loaf of banana nut bread for someone.
• Inviting a person over for coffee.
• Meeting them for coffee and paying the bill.
• Helping a single mother by paying for an oil change for her car.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but I hope it is a practical one which may spur your own thinking as to how you may love one another.

Soli deo Gloria!

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9-11)

How may believers abide in the love of Christ and therefore by consequential logic, the love of God the Father? By obeying and keeping the commandments of God.

Believers remain and continue to exist in a continual love for Christ by obeying the command from God to obey the commandments of God. Jesus’ statement to “abide in my love” is in itself a commandment. To do so, we must obey the commandments of God found in the Word of God inspired by the Spirit of God.

The example which is set before us is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus kept the Father’s commandments and abided in His love. Jesus calls all believers in Christ to do the same.

The word for love which Jesus used is the Greek word ἀγαπάω (agapao). It is not a sentimental feeling but rather a self-sacrificial love of the will. This type of love for Christ, displayed by our obedience to the Word of God, is to be evidenced not on the basis of our feelings but often in spite of our feelings and emotions.

I recently met with a young couple at a Wendy’s Restaurant for the purpose of providing pre-marital counseling. During our meeting, the three of us examined the responsibilities of husbands and wives as outlined in Ephesians 5:22-33. I took particular pains to explain to the young man that his love for his fiancé, soon to be wife, was to be the same type of love Jesus displayed on the cross and which He spoke of in today’s text. A self-sacrificial love of the will and not a love based upon his emotions and feelings is the prescription for an enduring marriage: till death you do part.

Sadly, this is not the understanding many people have in their marriages or in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Too often our love for each other, and our love for Christ, is based upon an emotional or religious high acquired each weekend at a so-called worship service where the focus most often is upon the excitement of the worshipers and not upon the biblical object of worship: God and God alone. Too often we become enamored with the artificial fog of life and distracted by the laser light shows of living. Too often we want our worship services, and our Christian life, to resemble a U2 concert. There may be a lot of emotional excitement for the moment, but there is no lasting substance or foundation for godliness. The substance of a Christian’s life is obedience to the Word of God.

John Calvin explains that, “Christ does not reconcile believers to the Father, that they may indulge in wickedness without reserve, and without punishment; but that, governing them by his Spirit, he may keep them under the authority and dominion of his Father. Hence it follows, that the love of Christ is rejected by those who do not prove, by true obedience, that they are his disciples.”

As another commentator states, “In today’s passage, Christ is not talking about our justification—our being declared righteous in God’s sight—so keeping His commandments (John 15:9-11) does not mean sinless perfectionism. It means a sincere effort to obey Him, repentance when we sin, and a refusal to trust in our own merit for redemption (see 1 John).”

By obeying the commandments of God, we discover true and enduring joy. Joy is not a momentary happiness when life is going well, but rather a peace and contentment which endures the most difficult of times.

Prove your love for Christ today by being obedient to the commandments found in Scripture.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:15-20)

We take time away from our study of the Gospel of John in order to remember the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. In light of our recent study of the glory of God and how believers ought to glorify Him, let’s turn in our Bibles to the familiar account of the heavenly angel’s announcement of the birth of the Christ to the shepherds abiding in the field. Today, we examine the immediate response by the shepherd’s upon hearing the good news of great joy, which shall be for all types of people that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem.

When the angels departed from the shepherds and went back in to heaven, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and actually see what the angels had told them. They acknowledged that the message they had received was indeed from God.

The text continues by saying that they all went in a hurry to Bethlehem. We presume they took their sheep with them for not to do so would have been irresponsible and would have subjected the sheep to probable predators. How appropriate for the shepherds to search for the One who is the Good Shepherd, and to bring sheep to behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

The shepherds indeed did find Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus who was lying in a manger. Perhaps they searched every stable they could find before coming upon the correct one. Upon seeing this scene, they made known what the angel had told them. All who heard the news were in awe, amazement and wonder. We do not know if the “all” included other people besides Mary and Joseph. While the others wondered about everything that had happened, Mary kept these matters in her mind and presumably to herself.

When the shepherds returned to the fields to continue grazing their sheep, they were glorifying and praising God. Both words, glorifying and praising, are present active participles. The shepherds did not just praise and bless God for a moment but continually as they went back to the fields. The reason they were glorifying and praising God was because of all they had heard, seen and been told.

On this Christmas Day 2018, what can you recollect hearing, seeing and someone telling you which resulted in you glorifying and praising God? What memories, near and far, can you recall which prompted you to respond in such a way?

For me, it has been Christmas cantatas over the years that have contained some wonderful creative songs declaring the good news that Jesus Christ has been born. My favorite Christmas cantata continues to be Agnus Dei featuring the music of Michael W. Smith.

It has also been one particular Christmas message by Dr. R.C. Sproul entitled “Out of the Ivory Palaces,” which I listen to every year on my Ligonier App. His message begins with the words, “Don’t you love Christmas?”

It also has been the sound of laughter and excitement by young children, and those young at heart, upon receiving and giving a special Christmas gift.

It is seeing the first snowfall of the season and recalling Isaiah 1:18 which says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

It is remembering the old traditions of annually going to my grandmother’s house each Christmas Day along with the rest of my extended, family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. What a wonderful time we had.

It is also establishing new traditions of friends visiting our home on Christmas Eve and enjoying a good meal and then playing board games until the wee small hours of the morning. Then, when the friends have gone home, it is watching the Christmas Carol featuring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge before venturing off to bed.

All of these traditions, and many others, of sight and sound prompt me to glorify and praise God for all that I have heard and seen.

May the spirit of glorifying and praising the Lord be what fills your soul this Christmas Day, and the days which follow.

Merry Christmas and Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-14).

We take time away from our study of the Gospel of John for the next two days in order to remember the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. In light of our recent study of the glory of God and how believers ought to glorify Him, let’s turn in our Bibles to the familiar account of the heavenly angel’s announcement of the birth of the Christ to the shepherds abiding in the field.

“And in the same region” refers to the area near the City of Bethlehem where the events of Luke 1:1-7 occurred in which Mary gave birth to her first born son, wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, or feeding trough, because there was no room for her, the baby and her husband Joseph in the inn.

“There were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Shepherds were a despised class of people in the first century Israel mainly due to their inability to participate in regular worship activities within their communities because of their work. The shepherd’s closeness to Jerusalem indicates that the sheep they were protecting may well have been flocks raised for sacrifice at the temple. That it was night may indicate a warmer time of the year than traditionally perceived and thought of on Christmas Cards and in Christmas Carols.

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” While angelic appearances were common in the Old Testament (Genesis 18; Daniel 9:15-17), the shepherds were still filled with tremendous terror when one angel of the Lord appeared to them. Imagine the shepherds spending a quiet peaceful night when suddenly the surrounding darkness flees because the glory of the Lord shone around them. The word glory, in this instance, refers more to the physical brightness and splendor of the holiness of God (Isaiah 6:1-7).

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’” The phrase “fear not,” was also common in Old Testament revelations of God (e.g., Josh 1:9; Judges 6:23; Jeremiah 1:8; Daniel 10:12; cf. Gen 15:1). The angel was not saying to the shepherds to no longer reverence God but rather to not be frightened and scared of God and His heavenly glory. The “good news” or “gospel” is one sourced in great joy and which will be for all types of people. What is this good news?

‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” The good news is as follows: (1) a Savior or deliverer has been born; (2) He is Christ the Lord; (3) He is wrapped in strips of cloth picturing not only the common practice for wrapping newborns but also for the recently deceased; and (4) He is lying in an animal’s feeding trough or manger.

Dr. R.C. Sproul explains that, “The sign will enable them (the shepherds) to find the baby and it will prove the truth of what the angel said. The stark contrast between His (Jesus’) humility and His exalted identity foreshadows the path of humiliation and suffering that awaits Him.”

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Without any warning or indication, the one angel is now accompanied by a throng of angels. These angels do what God created angels to do: to praise God and speak well of Him. Their specific words of praise parallel the character of the individual they are praising. They give glory, praise and honor to God because He is glorious, praiseworthy and honorable.

The peace or tranquility of which the angels spoke is for those who God is please to give such peace. God’s peace is a gracious gift upon those He is pleased to give it. It is the peace of being justified by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 5:1).

The glory of God is not only for who He is but also for what He has done, is doing and will do. What was the response by the shepherds to this angelic announcement? What is ours?

Merry Christmas and Soli deo Gloria!