A Biblical Exposition of Romans 9

A BIBLICAL EXPOSITION OF ROMANS 9

By Ezekiel Kimosop

Introduction

If one was to rank the Book of Romans among classes of New Testament Scripture, it would perhaps be listed as the 5^th Gospel. This Letter powerfully projects the working of God in Christ through whom the redemption works were accomplished. It articulates the works of redemption that are first taught in the gospels. The Book of Romans was written by a man whose spiritual transformation from a proud defender of the Jewish religious order to a leading First Century Christian theologian and missionary is captured in the Bible. Paul defends the purity and efficacy of the atonement in Christ for the Gentile and the Jew and proclaims that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ. Romans 3:23 is perhaps a befitting tribute to this great theological treatise. All indeed have sinned. Gentiles were lost in their spiritual blindness and given to idolatry while Jews fell out of favor with God when they broke His covenant with them. Both are desperately in need the salvation in Christ and it is for this reason that Paul makes a seasoned argument for the solution of the problem of human sin. Christ alone is the answer!

Paul weaves through the historical covenant dealings that God had with the Jewish people in order to demonstrate that the present spiritual position of the nation of Israel arose from their disobedience.

In the passage of Romans 9 which is the focus of this exposition, the writer outlines Israel’s calling by God in the patriarchs and their subsequent disobedience or falling away from God in rebellion. It outlines the promise of their future return to God through a remnant that shall be saved.

This letter also speaks to Gentile believers, reminding them of God’s grace in their adoption in Christ and for which they should be grateful. Romans 9 has been used by some scholars to teach the double predestination doctrine that holds that God has appointed a certain number of people to salvation while hardening the rest to eternal destruction.  They say that God’s sovereign election of believers was predestined in the same manner that God determined in advance that Israel would be preferred among other nations of the earth and that Jacob would rule over Esau. Has God appointed a specific fixed number of those who will enjoy eternal life will be saved? Has He also appointed the number of those to suffer eternal destruction to his glory as claimed by those who subscribe to this view?

This article is dedicated to a biblical examination of the passage of Romans 9 as read together with Romans 10-11 which conclude Paul’s argument.

A Brief outline of the Passage Context

In Romans 3 Paul declares that all have sinned against God and that they can only be justified by faith in Christ. In Romans 4 Paul picks out examples of Old Testament people who were declared righteous by God on account of their faith in God. In Romans 5 and 6, Paul continues with the illustration of the atonement in Christ, the new Adam, who secures the freedom of the believer from the slavery of sin. In Romans 8 Paul reveals that salvation is found in Christ alone and that the law was rendered legally defective the moment Christ was revealed. This passage focuses on the defense of salvation by grace alone through faith as affirmed in Ephesians 2:8-9. The writer demonstrates that the life of the believer was transformed from the life of disobedience because the Holy Spirit guides and illuminates his life. Romans 8 speaks of the new life of the believer and his adoption in Christ into God’s household and the redemption that awaits God’s creation when Christ is revealed. It concludes with a brief mention of the sanctification of the believer from the present earthly life to the glory to come. Chapters 9-11 address the issue of Israel’s predicament in view of its rebellion. The study of Romans 10-11 is critical to the contextual interpretation of Romans 9.

Structure of Romans 9

The passage of Romans 9 is structured along four outlines. Romans 9:1-5 speaks of Israel’s rejection of Christ. Romans 9:6-13 is dedicated to Paul’s reflection on God’s purpose which is consequent upon Israel’s rejection of God. Romans 9:14-29 is the largest passage in this chapter. It speaks of God’s justice and mercy. The final passage of Romans 9:30-33 relates to Israel’s state of isolation from God by reason of its rebellion.

The Pain of Israel’s Rejection – Romans 9:1-5

Romans 9:1-5 says “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, ² that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my ^[a]countrymen according to the flesh, ⁴ who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; ⁵ of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen” (NKJV).

Paul begins with a statement that conveys his heartfelt conviction that informs his address in this chapter. He is deeply sorrowful that his Jewish people who had tasted the goodness of the Lord had rejected Christ. His lament is aptly captured in Romans 9:3 where he wished he could suffer on their behalf if only that could bring them to Christ. The people of Israel are identified as the object of God’s grace by which they were adopted by God as a special people. God made a covenant with Israel which they repeatedly broke. They were therefore people of divine privilege who witnessed the glory of God and His great works through their wilderness journey and yet rebelled against God. Worse even, they rejected Christ, the Messiah from God who sought to draw them back to God by His sacrificial works of atonement (v.4). By His incarnate coming, Christ is identified with the very people who rejected Him. He was least esteemed among the very people who needed Him most. His divinity and eternity is outlined in verse 5. He is the eternally blessed God.

Israel’s Rejection and God’s Plan – Romans 9:6-13

Romans 9:6-13 says “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, ⁷ nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” ⁸ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. ⁹ For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.”

¹⁰ And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac ¹¹ (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), ¹² it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” (NKJV)

In this passage, Paul demonstrates that even though Abraham had two sons, yet God chose the son by Sarah to be the son of promise. A similar but slightly different paradox emerged in Isaac’s case. He had two sons by the same mother. Again the second son was chosen to carry the promise to Abraham. In all these dealings, God continued to work out His purposes for Israel. In the second case, both sons were of the same seed and woman. Neither was deserving of election over the other. The choice of Jacob was purely an act of God’s grace. The quotations in vv. 12-13 were lifted from Genesis 25:23 and Malachi 1:1-2, respectively. They imply that the younger son would be preeminent over the older one.

Paul then continues with his theological treatise that he had developed from the previous passage. In Romans 9:6 he admits that by the grace of God, the Gentiles came to Christ even as the Jews stayed away in rebellion. Romans 9:11 is often quoted out of context by some scholars to teach that the believer has no responsibility in his coming to Christ. This Scripture speaks of God’s foreknowledge rather than a deterministic control. He knew that Jacob would be born and would take preeminence over his elder brother. Nowhere in this passage is it taught that God forced Esau to sell his birthright. We shall shortly revisit this issue in greater detail.

The doctrine of divine adoption was earlier amplified in Romans 8:12-17. Paul recounts the miracle provision of sons to the patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac (vv. 7-9). This is perhaps a shadow of God’s provision for the redemption of the church in Christ. Jesus was a Son of promise who founded the nation of God’s holy people, the Body of Christ. This model is also mirrored in Genesis 48 where the two sons of Joseph were adopted by Jacob under what some theologians refer to as “the crossed arms” adoption. Jacob deliberately gave the birthright blessings to the younger son Ephraim instead of Manasseh. This was despite Joseph's attempt at correcting the perceived cultural violation. 

Some deterministic scholars have argued that the message of Romans 9:13 is evidence of the operation of predestination election of believers before the foundations of the world. Such a conclusion does not appear to draw its footing from the teaching of Scripture. Does the fact that God loved (or preferred) Jacob but hated (despised) Esau affirm the predestination teaching that believers are chosen and regenerated before they can come to Christ? 

We learn from John 6:44 that God calls men to Himself because through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This does not suggest that sinners have no role to play in the salvation process.  Genesis 25 reveals that Esau had his part to play in selling his birthright! Genesis 25:29-34 confirms that Esau sold his birthright over some stew! Genesis 25:33-34 confirms that Esau took an oath to sell his birthright to his brother. He violated his moral conscience at the exigency of temporal convenience. 

It is important however to appreciate that the illustrations in Romans 9 were not intended to demonstrate that God has eternally abandoned those who he despised or glossed over. The children of Esau would come to the knowledge of Christ in the same way that the Jews and Gentiles at large would!

There is a part that the believer should play in accepting the gift of God in Christ. God never forces people into salvation. He offers men the opportunity to come to Christ. In the same manner, God never led Adam to fall. He gave him a choice for obedience which he forfeited by his sinful transgression. This is also true concerning the election of Israel. They had an opportunity for obedience but they rebelled against God and broke the covenant with Him. They were scattered to the face of the earth until Christ.

Israel’s Rejection and God’s Justice – Romans 9:14-29

¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” ¹⁸ Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

²² What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

²⁵ As He says also in Hosea:

“I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
²⁶ “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

²⁷ Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
The remnant will be saved.
²⁸ For ^[b]He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”

²⁹ And as Isaiah said before:

“Unless the Lord of ^[c]Sabaoth had left us a seed,
We would have become like Sodom,
And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”(NKJV)

This is undoubtedly one of most difficult passages authored by Paul. Bible scholars have drawn conflicting conclusions on its interpretation. Others have relied on the positions adopted by the Patristic and Reformation theologians. This writer acknowledges this fact even as we scan through the verses of the passage to find the meaning of the message.

The Bible affirms in Romans 9:14-16 that Israel was chosen by God’s grace. It is instructive that the same mercy is later extended to Gentiles in Christ. The mention of Pharaoh’s example in v.17 does not, in my view, suggest that God hardens some people for destruction but that God can abandon some people to peril when they stubbornly rebel against Him. God simply abandoned Pharaoh to his fate because he rejected the petition by Moses who served God’s purposes.

The idea that Pharaoh’s hardening and his subsequent destruction is an illustration of the operation double predestination in Christian soteriology is perhaps overstretched. It should not escape the attention of the reader that Paul is using Pharaoh’s case as an illustration in demonstrating that God had shown mercy to Israel on several occasions and yet they still rebelled against Him. That is the overriding principle in Paul’s entire argument through Romans 9-11. Again, Paul is not teaching a double predestination doctrine in this illustration. He is still focused on showing how favored and privileged Israel was in the eyes of God yet they were undeserving of God’s grace. This is also true of the Gentiles in that God graciously brought them into His fold (Ephesians 2:11-22). 

Romans 9:19-21 says “You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?”

This passage carries a second analogy by Paul. He posits a diatribe rhetorical question which he proceeds to answer in vv. 22-23. Some consider his objection as focused on those who do not seek a sincere explanation on God’s sovereign actions but rather question His sovereignty. Verse 22 conveys the answer to a sincere question. God is longsuffering. He was patient with Pharaoh by giving him an opportunity to accede to the demands of Moses until that window was divinely shut. This also happened in Noah’s day. Luke 17:27 is implicit of God’s longsuffering (cf. Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20). Notice also that Noah is described as a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5). When God’s justice is finally served on the wicked, the Bible demonstrates that they will have forfeited their opportunity to repent. This is true of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah. They tuned deaf ears to Lot’s prophetic warning of the coming judgment until it was too little too late (Genesis 19: 14; cf. Luke 17:28-29). They all perished in their rebellion and obstinacy. 

I further submit that Romans 9:22 does not demonstrate that God is actively preparing the vessels for destruction. It is part of a suppositional analogy set out in vv. 22-24.  The actor(s) are not directly mentioned in this context. Instead, the mention of God in v. 23 as actively preparing men for mercy and for His glory is evidence of his unmerited grace.

Romans 9:24-29 speaks of the remnant that God would save out of Israel. Again this is evidence of His divine omniscience and foreknowledge. The text does not suggest that God has predetermined a specific number of Jews to be saved but that through the preaching of the gospel, some Jews will come to Christ. This regrettably confirms that only a small remnant will believe the gospel of Christ. This is true concerning Gentiles as well. Paul quotes excerpts from Hosea and Isaiah to support his argument on God’s grace being extended to the Gentiles. God's patience and extension of mercy to His rebellious people in Hosea's day was unparalleled. This is equally demonstrated in His unmerited love to Israel in the coming of Christ. 

Salvation by God’s Grace Alone – Romans 9:30-33

³⁰ What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; ³¹ but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law ^[d]of righteousness. ³² Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, ^[e]by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. ³³ As it is written:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (NKJV)

The final passage of Romans 9:30-33 concludes the view that salvation is only by grace through faith. It confirms that neither the Jew nor the Gentile deserved God’s grace. The last statement in Romans 9:33 reveals that those who believe in Christ will be saved. This again underscores the place of human responsibility in salvation (cf. John 3:16-17; Romans 10:5-11).  God will be justified and punishing the wicked who persist in their rebellion.

CONCLUSION

The message of Romans 9 has demonstrated that salvation is by God’s grace alone. It is not based on human race or ethnicity or any prior works. Jews and Gentiles will be saved but some (a large number) will reject Christ. God is not to blame for those who resist His atonement in Christ. It is by faith that believers are counted as members of true Israel. Being an ethnic Jew or having received the revelation of God in Moses was no advantage at all. This concluding statement is amplified in Romans 10-11 where Paul terminates his argument. Justification in Christ is by faith alone. Romans 11:32 says “For God has committed them all (Jews and Gentiles) to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. It reveals God’s immeasurable grace; man’s sinfulness and the solution that God has provided in Christ. God is therefore not responsible for those who reject Christ. He is justified in His condemnation of sin. 
Has God decreed some to eternal life and some to eternal destruction?
Now to answer my question that I posited at the introduction section of this article, my view is that God has not decreed or deliberately appointed some to eternal life and the rest to eternal destruction. Each person has a personal responsibility in responding to God's grace in Christ. Those who hold to the deterministic doctrines teach that God had ordained  and decreed ahead of the fall that the twin destinies of men would be in place even before he created Adam and Eve. This doctrine however borders on the conclusion that God is the ultimate author of sin. Why? Because, in their view, God created some sinners for eternal condemnation and is therefore ultimately responsible for their divine destinies.
My view is that God created man sinless and man fell, not by God's decree or determinism, but by man's free will choice in his transgression as taught in the Scriptures (cf. Genesis 2:16-17, 3:1-6). God graciously offered a solution to man's sin in Christ's atoning death and this gift is available to all men who will respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit at the proclamation of the Gospel. No sinner was assigned to be a reprobate for eternal condemnation. No sinner is "doomed from the womb" as suggested by some! Similarly, no sinner is privileged by reason of having been predestined to eternal life outside the works of the cross. The sinner who hears the gospel proclaimed and is convicted of his sin must make a choice for obedience to Christ or face the consequences of his disobedience. If he rejects God's saving grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ, he is personally liable for his destiny in the lake of fire. 

The God of Scripture neither decreed sin nor caused or predestined Adam to fall. He desires that all men come to repentance through the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:9). 

 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020.

Who is a Spiritual Father?

WHO IS A SPIRITUAL FATHER AND HOW SHOULD WE RELATE WITH THEM?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

INTRODUCTION

A spiritual father is a honorific title conferred upon a person who raised a believer in the Lord and/or in ministry. He may simply be a mentor or a mature Christian who was instrumental in shaping the moral and spiritual worldview of the believer in the Lord or in Christian ministry.

One can have more than one mentor at various stages of their Christian faith and service. All these men and women have their specific points of impact on the spiritual and moral development of the believer or minister.

Paul was a spiritual father to several New Testament ministers that he raised in the Lord and trained in ministry. Timothy was one of Paul's prominent spiritual sons that Paul often fondly spoke of. However, Timothy's mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois also played a big role in his spiritual and moral upbringing and Paul acknowledged their input in his Scripture writings.

2 Timothy 1:5-6 says "when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also" (NKJV).

Paul recognized the impact of traditional Jewish spiritual training on Timothy's life.

In 2 Timothy 3:15-16, Paul exhorts Timothy saying "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (NKJV).

The Holy Scriptures contemplated in this context are the Old Testament Scriptures. The LXX or Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament Scriptures was widely in use in the Greco-Roman world of Paul's day. 

HOW SHOULD WE RELATE WITH SPIRITUAL FATHERS?

This is a critical question given the influence of some spiritual leaders in the lives of people they raised in ministry. This influence can have both a positive and negative impact on believers, depending on how it is directed or managed.

We shall examine the spiritual fatherhood concept using three questions:

1) Should a spiritual father always assert spiritual authority on those they have mentored in ministry?

My view is that a spiritual father should allow his students to move on and serve God once he has sufficiently instructed them in ministry. He should permit reasonable independence for them so that they too can exercise their skills and grow in ministry. He should not exercise any spiritual authority over the believer or minister unless the believer is a member of his congregation or is a minister serving under his oversight. Even under such such circumstances, the spiritual father should be considerate and should not be overbearing.

Paul was Timothy's spiritual father but nowhere in Scripture is it taught or implied that he made any demands on Timothy or ordered him around. Paul exhorted Timothy and other ministers in humility and love and always beseeched them with all forbearance even during difficult moments when the exercise of his apostolic authority would have been legitimate.

Notice for instance that Paul was disappointed with Titus who did not meet his expectations. Paul had instructed Titus to appoint elders for the churches in the island of Crete. However, by the time of writing to him, this task had not been concluded and Paul reminded Titus as much (Titus1:5). Notice that Paul never rebuked Titus for the disappointment but went on to encourage him to fulfill his missionary task.

Paul was at some point deserted by some of his missionary companions but Paul took the disappointments with maturity and sobriety. 2 Timothy 4:9-10 says "Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica."

Timothy was perhaps Paul's most trusted companion. Paul fondly referred to Timothy as "our brother" (see 2 Cor. 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1). Elsewhere in Scripture, Timothy is  referred to as "a true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2); and "fellow worker" (Romans 16:21).

During the Corinthian conflict, Paul reminded the Corinthians that he was their spiritual father who begot them in Christ through the gospel (1 Cor. 4:15). This was perhaps a polite message that affirmed that he deserved honor as the founder of the Corinthian church. Notice that Paul never attempted to manipulate or assert himself on the Corinthians despite being the apostolic overseer for all churches in Macedonia and Asia Minor.

Even though Paul was entitled to financial support from the Gentile churches that he founded, he never imposed his will on any congregation that was under his apostolic oversight. 
Even where he made legitimate appeals for support, he had choice of words (cf. 2 Cor. 9).

A few churches were known to offer special support for his missionary work and for this, Paul was grateful. Notice his appreciation for the special support from the Philippians (Philippians 4:10-20).

On some occasions, Paul went without essential ministry supplies and sufferred hunger and other perils. He learned to soldier on even in those trying moments.

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, Paul answers his opponents and relates some of his trying moments in ministry.

"Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?"

2) Do the opinions of spiritual fathers always count?

My view is that the guidance of godly spiritual fathers are indispensable in ministry. Their wisdom and prudence is a special resource for young ministers. However, some circumstances may require the believer or minister to seek a second or third opinion from other ministers or Christian leaders as well.

The wisdom of spiritual fathers is not exclusive to a given ministry. There are issues that other ministers or mature believers may be more conversant with. The young minister should therefore not shy away from consulting these experts for guidance as appropriate.

3) Should we tithe to our spiritual fathers?

This is a controversial issue for some because of the intricate web that underpins the spiritual fatherhood relationship. I am aware of some preacher friends that faithfully tithe to their spiritual fathers from all their church collections on monthly basis. This is informed by a sense of gratitude and esteem that they hold towards their mentors. The controversial bit is that the tithe money is never meant for the support of church ministry but for personal application at the discretion of the spiritual father who receives it in his private capacity and not on behalf of his ministry or congregation.

I must admit that I do not find any biblical authority for this practice. I am therefore hesitant to recommend it. I believe that a spiritual father should be supported on a need basis. Where the issue is beyond the capacity of his primary congregation or communion, his spiritual sons and daughters may chip in. This should however be done on a voluntary basis.

The notion that a church leader who heads an independent church congregation or communion of churches should regularly receive monthly tithes or financial gifts from independent churches led by people he mentored in ministry is, in my view, a strange practice and may border on ungodly manipulation and control. However, I am not opposed to those who value this arrangement.

If the gifts or contributions are intended to support the spiritual father's ministry, then that is a totally different issue. However, those who are convinced that the practice is a godly thing should follow their convictions.

Those are my thoughts.

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020

What is Repentance?

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

Repentance can biblically be described as the act of confessing and forsaking or turning away from sin or transgression.

Repentance follows conviction and remorse for wrongdoing. There is perhaps no better way to appreciate the significance of true repentance than to examine the teachings of Scripture on this subject.

In 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, God prescribes the remedy for sinful disobedience in an elaborate manner. It says "When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

We notice that repentance involves the turning away of a sinful people from their disobedience. Sin is primarily a transgression against God.

In this Scripture, we learn that God's forgiveness is conditional to repentance in a manner that satisfies His divine standards. For instance, the people of Nineveh truly repented of their sinful depravity and God graciously forgave them and withdrew His judgment against them (Jonah 3:5-10).

When true repentance is attained or experienced, a person's burden of guilt is lifted away and the joy of God flows from their hearts. Psalm 120:1 says "In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me."

When David repented of his sin with Bathsheba, God graciously pardoned him. Scripture describes the abundant joy and happiness that ensued and his renewed commitment to walking with God.

Psalm 51 carries David's prayer of repentance. This prayer should be read together with God's rebuke of David in 2 Samuel 12:1-23. David confesses that God cannot despise or overlook a broken heart. He proclaims in Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise."

Psalm 38 also describes David's brokenness before God and the shame and reproach that sin brings to the child of God. This passage does not specify the circumstances of the transgression. It is possible that this could be connected to Psalm 51 as well.

The purpose of God's rebuke and chastisement is to strengthen His covenant people in their life of obedience. It is never intended to harm or destroy them.

 Job 5:17 says "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole."

In the New Testament Scripture, repentance from sin is tied to the offer of God's grace in Christ. John 3:16-17 says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

This and many other passages of New Testament Scripture affirm God's condition for the restoration of our fellowship with Him that was broken by sin. Romans 6:22-23 says "But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

A person who truly repents in response to the preaching of the Gospel must walk away from their life of disobedience and rebellion. He should recognize that only in Christ's atoning grace can he receive the atonement from sinful condemnation in Adam. He shall thereafter depend entirely on God's grace in order to live in obedience to God.

He should keep the word of God close to his heart and cherish his communion with God and with God's people in true fellowship.

This does not suggest that we shall attain perfection or freedom from sin on earth. We are still predisposed to the influence of sin on earth. However, we are better able to recognize sin and, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, confess it in truth. Habitual sinfulness will not define our walk with God.

1 John 3:6 says "Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him."

It is instructive to note that this Scripture does not teach that the believer is sinless or that he cannot commit any sin . If that were the case, then 1 John 1:8-10 should be expunged from the Bible!

This Scripture is addressing habitual sinfulness; a regrettable condition that reveals that the person is still bound in moral disobedience. Wilful disobedience cannot characterize the life of a true child of God. Why? Because the Spirit of God leads him and brings him into conviction and repentance!

No child of God would wilfully relish a life of sinful revelry and debauchery. His moral conscience is alert and repels the life of darkness!

God is longing for the repentance of the wicked, not willing that any soul should be lost. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). 

Shalom




© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020

Does Psalm 82:6 Teach that Believers are gods?

DOES PSALM 82:6 AND JOHN 10:34 SUGGEST THAT BELIEVERS ARE GODS?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

INTRODUCTION

In John 10:34 Jesus was quoting Psalm 82:6 while confronting the Jewish leaders who denied His divine nature as both Messiah and God the Son and rejected his works. They had also accused Him of blasphemy (John 10:35). Jesus then reminded them that Scripture speaks of rulers as gods....

INTERPRETATION OF PSALM 82

Now let's rewind to Psalm 82 to better appreciate the context in which Psalm 82:6 lies.

This Psalm was addressed to the evil rulers of the day who oppressed their people. They defended the unjust and showed partiality when making judgment (82:1-2).

The psalmist then makes a plea for the poor and downtrodden (82:3-4).

In Psalm 82:6, which is often quoted out of its passage context, the psalmist mocks the evil rulers.

These rulers, including the religious order, were definitely not acting within the precincts of their covenant relationship with God. They had broken God's moral and civil laws.

The reference to them as "sons of the Most High God"  is purely a mockery and an indictment of their wickedness!

Notice that the succeeding verse of Psalm 82:7 speaks of their fate in their rebellion: they will all fall and die in God's judgment!

The statement in Psalm 82:6 was obviously a mockery of the rulers who esteemed themselves so high in authority yet they were condemned to destruction by God for their excesses!

Were these rulers gods in any essence? Did they possess any divinity?

These rulers only exercised magisterial power donated to them by God who is sovereignly in control of all creation (Psalm 24:1-2). Unfortunately, these leaders were evil stewards over God's people. The context of the Psalm 82 is clear: They were undeserving of any honor!

In Psalm 82:8 the psalmist pleads with God to arise and judge the nation's. This undoubtedly had to do with the wickedness earlier described in Psalm 82:1-4. Context is always key.

The people are here described as knowing nothing and moving aimlessly in darkness. It was a wandering society that is far from the  illumination of God's moral law, people who are lost in sinful depravity. This is a society under a failed leadership!

This is where our society is today because our civic leadership is drawing our society further and further from God's divine principles.

God will definitely judge them for their rebellion notwithstanding their high offices or religious beliefs or ideologies.

These leaders are ultimately answerable to God no matter how powerful they appear in the eyes of this world.

They serve at His divine pleasure and God can and often puts them down when He so chooses (Psalm 75:1-7).

Back to John 10:22-42.

Jesus was rebuking the Jewish religious leaders for their lack of discernment.

He had come as their Messiah but they rejected Him even though the Old Testament Scriptures pointed to His coming. Thankfully some believed in Him just as we do (John 10:40-42).

Was Jesus praising the religious leaders of His day? Absolutely not!

My view is that the use of the word "gods" in Jesus case was in a magisterium sense to refer to the exercise of authority in a stewardship capacity. At one time Jesus spoke of the Pharisees as sitting in Moses' seat, obviously in reference to their religious authority over the people of God (see Matthew 23:2).

The use of this word was never at any time intended to lay claim to any divine essence on those intended.

He, like the psalmist in Psalm 82, was actually mocking them. These leaders were not gods! They were evil and arrogant and unable to discern the new dispensation that God had ushered in by Christ!

This is nothing new to us today.

To teach that Jesus was ascribing divinity to these leaders is to stretch the interpretation of biblical truth beyond the snapping point!

Nothing in Psalm 82 or John 10:22-42 remotely suggests that believers are gods. We are followers of Jesus Christ who redeemed us from sinful condemnation. We are not and will never be worthy of worship in this life or in the life to come.



© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020

Walking in Discernment

WALKING IN DISCERNMENT

By Ezekiel Kimosop

In this season of lockdowns and massive restrictions, many preachers have crowded social media platforms with teachings. Some of these preachers are faithful to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Bible.

Unfortunately, there is a growing number of false teachers who are seeking followers during this season when churches are unable to congregate. These preachers are heretics. They do not proclaim the gospel in truth. They are only concerned with numbers and wallets. They are parasitic!

It is important to sound a shepherd's warning to the true followers of Jesus Christ on this reality so that we are watchful, lest we fall prey to them. Beware of preachers who demand money in exchange for prayers or miracles.

Let's continue to faithfully support our churches with whatever God has blessed us.

I appreciate that some may construe this statement as judgmental but such a claim is misplaced because I have never mentioned any preacher by name.

My view is this warning does not amount to being judgmental of preachers but rather demonstrates that one is a responsible minister of God during these evil days. 1 John 4:1 says "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

This is an open warning from the Bible! It vindicates this message.

When we exercise spiritual prudence in discerning false teachers, we are acting under the authority of the word of God.

If a preacher is sincere in proclaiming Christ crucified, they don't need to be envious or manipulative or controlling. They also shouldn't seek cheap glory at the expense of glorifying Christ and advancing the kingdom of God.

I have just noticed that some leading health and wealth preachers are lately controlling our airwaves.  Some of our leading radio and TV stations in Kenya host false prophets on Sunday morning. If we are not discerning, we may end up feeding on heresies rather than the balanced truths of Scripture.

I wish to encourage members of this forum and believers everywhere to be on the lookout when watching live broadcasts on Facebook or YouTube. It is important to ascertain the doctrinal soundness of a preacher before following their preaching. If you are not sure about them, please consult your congregational pastors for guidance.

Jude 1:16-19 aptly describes these false teachers and apostates, saying, "These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit."

A preacher who does not have the Spirit of God is definitely a false teacher. He was not called by God. They do not therefore speak the mind of God. They may look flashy and flamboyant or sound pompous with flattering words or even make decrees or "prophetic" proclamations but they have no authority from God!

Walk away from such.


Stay safe. Walk in discernment. Keep it Christ.


Shalom.

Why the Temple Veil was Torn Apart

WHY THE TEMPLE VEIL WAS RIPPED APART UPON JESUS' DEATH ON THE CROSS

By Ezekiel Kimosop

The huge curtain at the Jerusalem Temple that separated the holy of holies from the place of worshippers was finally torn apart upon Christ's last breath at the cross of Calvary.

Matthew 27:50-51 says "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split."

Notice the elaborate description: the veil was torn from top to bottom. It was completely ripped apart so that the restriction on access to the holy of holies was terminated forthwith.

This does not imply that God lowered His divine standards in order to accommodate sinful men into His presence, unhindered! Alas! It was because in Christ's atoning death, God found the perfect sacrificial Lamb that could appease His divine wrath that stood upon us since Adam.

Only those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus have the privilege of accessing God's throne!

THE ADAMIC FALL

Let's briefly examine the theology behind the temple veil or curtain.

When Adam sinned against God by his disobedience (Genesis 3:1-6), he and his offspring were immediately separated from God. Adam and Eve lost their fellowship with God and could no longer approach God in the way they used to in the Garden of Eden.

They both fell into sinful condemnation. God judged them and chased them away from the Garden (Genesis 3). Sin and depravity multiplied under subsequent generations of humanity.

Genesis 6:5-6 says "Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart."

Only Noah found favor with God.

Noah's generation was destroyed by flood and this wiped away Cain's offspring and only Seth's lineage through Noah and his immediate family survived the flood.

THE COVENANTS

From Noah to Abraham, wickedness continued. God finally made a covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 and through his seed, the promise of a savior was introduced.

God later destroyed the people of Sodom and Gomorrah because their wickedness stung to high heavens. Genesis 13:13 says "But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord." Abraham's nephew, Lot, was rescued by the angels of God. Lot was a righteous man dwelling in the midst of the wicked.

Even though Abraham and Lot parted ways in Genesis 13, the two men were later reunited in the marriage of Ruth and Boaz. Ruth was a Moabite whose ancestry can be traced to the incest recorded in Genesis 19. Boaz was Jew from the tribe of Judah. He was the great grandfather of King David.

The rest is history.

God's covenant with Abraham was later affirmed in Jacob (Genesis 28) and later in David (2 Samuel 7).

When the children of Israel return from Egypt, God instituted His covenant with them at Mt Sinai (Exodus 20-24). The levitical priesthood was thereafter instituted under Aaron. It was an elaborate worship system with detailed regulations.

Now back to our question.

Unfortunately,  the separation from God in Adam was not fully restored even under this new covenant order. The sacrificial system of bulls could not atone for the disobedience in Adam. Hebrews 10:4 says "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins."

God's holy presence was separated by the Temple veil that was a constant reminder of the unfinished business that would come in God's appointed time!

THE FINAL SOLUTION

Finally, Jesus came by His incarnate birth. He suffered and was crucified and and died and by His death, His blood alone could satisfy God's wrath for atonement for our sin in Adam. The curtain was finally torn apart as an affirmation of this divine truth!

The priesthood of believers was instituted the moment God's wrath was appeased in Christ. Every believer since Calvary has unfettered access to throne of grace because his legal standing before God has been satisfied and his justification pronounced in Christ.

Romans 8:1-2 conveys the declaration of our freedom in Christ, saying, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

This is the reason that Hebrews 4:16 says "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Nothing can therefore prevent a believer from appearing in the presence of God in worship and no stain of sin can remain after we appear before the throne of grace. The blood of Jesus cleanses completely.

We do not therefore need a confession box priesthood system or any mediator before God other than Christ. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 says "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

IT IS FINISHED!

Once we are connected with Christ, we are connected to God. Jesus cried at the cross, saying in John 19:30, "It is finished!"

What was finished?

John 19:29-30 says "Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."

This passage should be read right from John 19:28 which says "After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”"

My view is that this is where we find the clue to what Jesus meant by His final statement.

I believe that His thirsting for water is the natural reaction from dehydration after hours of bleeding and agony.

Jesus knew that He was about to breath His last at this point. His excruciating agony took a toll on His body but a great divine conclusion was about to be made.

Jesus did not just die. He gallantly concluded His atoning works of the cross with confidence. The reference to "all things" being accomplished confirms that His earthly mission satisfied the prophetic proclamations on His Messianic works.

What does this bring to our minds?

Besides the sorrow this account brings, there is the awesome sense of victory at His last breath. His death accomplished what no man could have done.

God tore apart the huge curtain at the Jerusalem Temple as a sign that freedom from sinful condemnation was at last found in Christ's atoning death on the cross! His blood completely washes away sin and those who come to Him in repentance will be reconciled with God forever!

This truth is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

His subsequent resurrection and ascension to heaven remains a powerful assurance to us that Jesus is soon coming to take away His Church and together we shall rejoice in His divine presence forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).

Are you among the number?




Shalom.




© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020

Living Circumspectly Under COVID 19

HOW TO WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY DURING COVID 19 SHUTDOWN/LOCKDOWN

By Ezekiel Kimosop

How should believers conduct themselves during this difficult season of COVID 19 shutdowns and lockdowns now that Christian worship gatherings have been outlawed by the authorities?

The social media platforms have lately become the place of solace for many who seek answers on the prevailing circumstances. Unfortunately, most of what flies across those pages do not offer true solace for believers. Besides, false teachers have taken over these platforms to post scary articles that leave many confused!

I wish to propose a sound prescription. Let us turn to the comfort and wisdom of Scripture. Scripture is a high voltage lamp that illuminates our paths, beaming into the future.

We should therefore daily turn to the word of God for directions on the above  question.

Ephesians 5:15-21 says "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God."

This passage begins with a call to believers to understand what the will of God is for our given set of circumstances so that our decisions and actions can glorify God.

God's will for us can only be discerned from the devotional study of the word of God. The Bible contains principles and illustrations that address practically every conceivable situation of life, including what we presently face under the COVID 19 pandemic.

Many believers are living in fear because false prophets are using lies and deception to spread fear and pandemonium about the immediate and distant future. However, those who pay attention to the truths of Scripture will face the difficult times with fortitude and calm and will ably provide spiritual direction to God's people in these dark times.

Ephesians 5:21 exhorts us to submit to one another in the fear of God. What does this Scripture mean in our present circumstances?

We shall return to this question later in the concluding section of this study.

PASSAGE CONTEXT

First, it is instructive that the above passage is a conclusion to three important exhortations by Paul in Ephesians 5. This is where we find our context or road map for our passage.

Let us briefly examine them below.

First, Paul called on the Ephesians (and us) to walk in the love of God and to be imitators of Christ's sacrificial love. God's highest expression of love was exemplified in Christ's atoning death (see Ephesians 5:1-7).

The Bible is here reminding us of the cost that Christ paid for our redemption. His finished works of the cross were motivated by sacrificial love for us (Philippians 2:1-10). This should be a daily reminder of the high price paid to deliver us from sinful condemnation.

Paul then admonished the Ephesians (and us) to keep away from the defilement of immorality, saying God will certainly punish the immoral along with idolators.

This admonition is instructive.
Idolatry was entrenched in the pagan city of Ephesus where the goddess Diana was worshipped.

Notice that the riot in Ephesus in Acts 19:21-41 had to do with the declining income for the idol craftsmen after many Ephesians turned to Christ at the preaching of Paul and his associates and abandoned their idols.

The second exhortation is found in Ephesians 5:8-14. The Bible admonishes us to walk in the light. This is by reason that Jesus has rescued us from the life of darkness and brought us into His kingdom of light.

The Bible describes believers as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Light is often used in the Scriptures in the context of enlightenment or spiritual awakening.

Elsewhere in Scripture, the word of God is described as "a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path" (Psalm 119:105).

Jesus taught that believers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The gospel is also metaphorically identified with a light that shines broadly from a lamp that is placed in the pathway and which therefore leads men in darkness (Matthew 5:13-16).

PASSAGE ANALYSIS

The third and final exhortation is our passage of interest in Ephesians 5:15-21. In this passage, the Bible admonishes us to walk in wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

To walk circumspectly is to walk with godly wisdom in a world where deception and the cunning craftiness of men abounds (Ephesians 4:13-14).

The adverb "circumspectly" is borrowed from the Greek word which means to take heed or to walk cautiously. A person who exercise spiritual prudence is aware of the circumstances and nature of pitfalls that stand in their way of obedience. This prudence can only come from a life that is informed by the knowledge and obedience to the word of God.

Ephesians 5:16 exhorts us to redeem the time for the days are evil. This is a warning to every child of God to keep their spiritual antennae on the alert.

Many people today believe that the world as we know it is perpetually spinning on its axis. They are dead wrong! God has set the times and the seasons for us. The Bible is our only reliable guide in interpreting the seasons and in determining where we are in God's timelines as we look forward to the soon coming of Christ.

Scripture exhorts us to diligence in understanding the will of God for our times (Ephesians 5:17). In so doing, we should watch against moral excesses that obscure our spiritual path. Wine was liberally consumed in the New Testament period just as it is today. It is a popular tool of entertainment and pleasure today. Sadly, hard drinks taken in excess can numb our mental faculties and impair our moral judgment.

Wine is here described as a dissipation (NKJV). This word speaks of far more than gluttony or greed. The Ellicott's Commentary describes it as "a reckless pursuit of excitement at all costs." This is primarily descriptive of addiction, an impulsive attraction to objects of pleasure.

The consumption of wine is metaphorically used to describe spiritual confusion and lack of discernment that comes with greed and addiction to worldly pleasures.

Instead, Scripture exhorts us to "be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God" (Ephesians 5:19-21).

To be filled with the Spirit is to be under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit. This is a contrast to the life controlled by wine or worldly pleasure. A Spirit filled believer is not one who speaks in strange tongues but one who exhibits spiritual maturity and deportment. Such a believer rightly discerns between truth and error; between the heavenly and worldly things. He is conscious of his obligations in walking in obedience.

This passage concludes with the projection of a Spirit controlled life that oozes with godly worship and Christian admonition in truth. A thankful heart is a heart that is connected with God and which marvels at His awesomeness in gratitude. It is a contrast to a heart that is ruled by the impulses of earthly pleasures.

CONCLUSION

This now brings us back to our first question. What does it mean to submit to one another in the fear of God? See Ephesians 5:21.

Christian submission is about orderliness and godly conduct. It is a broad biblical concept that requires a separate treatment. However for purposes of our prevailing circumstances, I will narrow it down to our Christian obligations to one another under the restrictions we presently face.

Most Christians would readily admit that they miss their Sunday church worship gatherings and fellowship meetings.

How then should we maintain our Christian way of life in isolation? I have the following suggestions.

First, I am pursuaded that members of a church congregation should submit to their congregational obligations even if we do not get to gather in the usual manner.

We should follow our church sermons, exhortations and other instructions online (in as much as this is practically possible). We need regular spiritual nourishment from our pastors and elders.

Secondly, we should dedicate part of our now flexible schedules to the study of the word of God at personal and family level. This is a discipline that can easily be lost to hours of TV and social media platforms.

Thirdly, we ought to observe our congregational commitments including faithfully sending our offerings and tithes to the church through mobile money or bank transfer during our online services.

Remember that if we neglect our obligations on giving, our pastors and church workers will not receive their support and church bills will run into arrears! If we can eat, we can give to God.

Fourthly, we should pray earnestly. Pray for those infected and affected by COVID 19 pandemic and the thousands of medical workers who are in the frontline in managing the cases. Let us pray for and support the needy in our midst and in our communities of context. Many have lost their means of livelihood as a result of the calamity.

Finally, we should use online platforms to share the Gospel and to exhort and admonish one another in the way of the cross.

In this way, we shall be walking circumspectly, redeeming the time.



Shalom




© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020

Are Christians Shielded from Calamities?

DOES PSALM 91 TEACH THAT CHRISTIANS ARE SHIELDED FROM EARTHLY CALAMITIES?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

As we grapple with the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, we are compelled to turn to the Scriptures in order to discover the mind of God for our situation and to encourage one another to place our hope in God during these difficult times.

I am aware that Psalm 91is now among template passages that prosperity preachers readily turn to under our circumstances of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Does Psalm 91 teach that believers are shielded from the calamities of this world? This question is significant for believers because of the rising number of self appointed prophets who purport to have heard directly from God.

First, allow me to say that the rules of Bible interpretation require that Scripture passages should be read and interpreted in context, giving regard to the truths affirmed or taught in other sections of the Bible so that the full counsel of God is communicated to our audience.

It is therefore important that whenever we teach from passages of the Old Testament Scripture, we should be careful to harmonize them with the body of New Testament truths so that the mind of God, the ultimate author of Scripture, is revealed.

It is instructive that some Old Testament truths are more clearly amplified for the Church in the New Testament. For example, some prescriptive laws taught in the Old Testament are revised in the New Testament Scripture because of the implications of the New covenant for the body of Christ.

Take for instance Leviticus 24:19-20 which says "If a man causes disfigurement of his neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him."

No one can dispute that this Scripture is part of our inspired writings of the Bible! However, we cannot develop a Christian doctrine for revenge based on this text!

Why? Because we are aware that in the New Testament, Jesus taught against revenge! Other New Testament writers have amplified this teaching in a manner that effectively rules out the moral basis for taking revenge.

Romans 12:19-21 says "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

This does not however imply that believers should accept to suffer moral injustice which is remedied under the provisions of the law. If for instance my neighbor maliciously moves a boundary mark into my land, I have the right to seek legal redress if he is unwilling to rectify his mischief.

Now let's go back to the issue at hand.

Psalm 91 speaks about the divine protection for God's people who walk faithfully with God. This is true now as it was when this psalm was written. However, we should read the Bible in context. God never abandons His covenant people even in the midst of tribulations. Christian suffering is not evidence that God has forsaken us. Afflictions do come in the way of God's people. Psalm 34:19 says "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Let's now take a few moments to examine sections of  Psalm 91.

Psalm 91:7-13 says:
"A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot."

What are the threats identified in the passage?

Five perils are identified in 91:1-6: the snare of the fowler; perilous pestilence (v.3); terror by night and the arrow that flies by day (v.5); pestilence that walks in darkness; destruction that lays waste at noonday (v.6).

Notice that pestilence is mentioned twice. The other perils relate to war or violence. Notice also that Satan quoted sections of this Psalm during the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4:11-13. Jesus was candid in responding to Satan's misapplication of God's word.

Does Psalm 91:7-10 teach that no harm will come near believers with regard to the COVID 19 pandemic?

Does this passage teach that no earthly perils will touch believers?

Here are eternal truths on God's nature. He is omnipotent, omniscient, just, loving, faithful, gracious and His mercies abide with His covenant people in all ages. This does not imply that God will not permit suffering for His people. He permitted suffering upon the children of Israel for 430 years but finally rescued them at a time appointed by Him (Exodus 12:40-41;Galatians 3:17). This suffering served His divine purposes.

There's nothing to hard for God. If God chose to remove COVID 19 today, it will vanish from the globe at the blinking of an eye! This pandemic does not therefore take Him by surprise. It is happening within His permissive will. This does not suggest that He is the ultimate cause or that He deliberately sent it to destroy men. There are many epidemics today that can be traced to man's abuse of God's resources, including industrial pollution, deforestation, nuclear radiation and moral depravity.

God daily preserves us from destruction. He does not wish that any soul should perish.

2 Peter 3:9 says "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

Were it not for God's loving kindness and forbearerance, we would all have perished. He has also shielded us from His divine wrath through the finished works of the cross. This is perhaps the worst calamity that any soul can face. No matter what happens on earth, the truth is that those who reject the offer for redemption in Christ will face the great white throne judgment of God described in Revelation 20:11-15.

Now back to our question...

Is it Biblical to teach that COVID 19 pandemic cannot infect believers? Does this pandemic discriminate between believers and sinners?

My view is that every person on earth must take the precautions against the COVID 19 pandemic irrespective of their faith. We should bear in mind that this is a calamity with no known cure.

When we take precautions prescribed by the authorities, we are responding to our civic obligations as God's people who are law abiding. This is the very reason that we have skipped regular church congregational gatherings!

There is no evidence from Scripture that God sent the current pandemic as a judgment that specifically targets the wicked or non-believers.

Yes, God preserved the children of Israel from the Egyptian plagues (Exodus 8-11). He preserved them from the raging waters as they crossed the Red Sea and drowned the Egyptian army (Exodus 14).

The same all powerful God permitted the suffering of Job, a righteous man (Job 1:6-12, 13-22). Does this amount to a contradiction of God's moral nature? Absolutely not!

I am aware that prosperity preachers shun the Book of Job for obvious reasons! The truth is that God may permit suffering on God's people in different ways, including through epidemics. This He does for His divine purposes. His ways are above our ways.

In the New Testament, Jesus taught that those who will come after Him must be prepared to carry their cross and follow Him. By this statement, Jesus affirmed Christian persecution in that believers will suffer afflictions because of their faith.

There's however much more. Believers undergo trials and afflictions permitted by God for the purpose of building their faith in Christ (James 1:2-4). This may sound unpleasant but this is Biblical truth.

When Paul prayed thrice for the removal of the "thorn in the flesh", God declined his petition, saying "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Did Paul lack sufficient faith to command the thorn to leave Him? Paul himself explains the reason for the affliction in the same passage.

Will some Christians suffer the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic? My answer is in the affirmative. It is inconceivable to imagine that among those who have been infected or even died of this pandemic, none is a believer. That reasoning is definitely faulty.

I believe that it is our moral obligation to encourage God's people to trust God in these difficult season and to submit to the Government precautions against COVID 19 pandemic. Corona is not hearsay, it is a real. It is with us. It is a dangerous disease without a known cure!

We should therefore pray that God may stay the advance of this pandemic and intercede for the recovery of those who are infected and for those quarantined. We should also remember the families of the 51,283 people who have so far died worldwide by the time of posting this article. This number is exponentially rising. I believe that some of the fatalities are believers whose souls are now before the throne of God (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7-8).

It is important to appreciate that even if we suffer or succumb to the perils of this evil world, our eternal security in Christ will never be lost. Let's therefore stand with courage and proclaim Christ crucified with all boldness while being faithful to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).



Shalom




© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020

Ignore False Prophets Stay on the Word

IGNORE FALSE PROPHETS, FOCUS ON THE WORD OF GOD

By Ezekiel Kimosop

I am constantly receiving questions and clips from brethren who seek my theological opinion on the growing number of people who say that God spoke to them on COVID 19 ahead of time. Some of these teachers have now declared that the church is in the tribulation season described in Matthew 24 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.

There's no denying that the Antichrist system is already with us. There are clear signs of growing global state control and surveillance on civilians, even in the so called free democracies like the USA. Technological advancement has now made it possible to track citizens and monitor their activities.

The cashless economy is fast catching up with us, even in the least developed nations. Social media platforms are now uniting the world and information can be splashed across the globe in seconds.

Here's the shocking truth that every believer should mark... most of these advanced nations regulate and control religion and specifically despise and outlaw the public practice of the Christian faith!

Are we now in the Antichrist season?

I would say yes and no. Here's why...

There's considerable debate in Christan circles about whether or not the scale of global controls can be attributed to the direct influence of the Antichrist at this stage. We do not know for sure if the Antichrist is alive. Some think he is. I am skeptical.

While I agree with the idea that COVID 19 and other epidemics could mark a new dispensation on global economic and political order associated with the Antichrist system, I am hesitant to accept the growing speculation that Christians are now in the tribulation period described in several passages of the Bible.

There's evidence in Scripture that the tribulation period will be preceded by the great apostasy and the unveiling of the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

My view is that those who stay close to the word of God can discern the times and can readily attest that God grants peace to His saints even in the most turbulent of times.

I am deeply concerned about the rise in the number of false prophets who claim to speak the mind of God in this season. This is perhaps the greatest threat to the Church. We need to be vigilant as servants of God and warn and exhort believers to identify and keep off these workers of inquity.

My view is that God does not and will not speak outside the Scriptures. He never did in the last 2000 years and certainly won't do so in this season or those to come.

False teachers are taking advantage of the present circumstances of global calamity to scare and deceive believers in the hope of drawing away those who not mature in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-14).

The Bible foresaw these evil men arising. Acts 20:29-31 says "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."

1 Timothy 4:1-2 says "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." (cf. 2 Timothy 3:1-9).

I believe that we are in the apostasy season contemplated by the Scriptures where false doctrines sell like hot cakes and God's eternal word is shunned by many. Millions of people are nowadays looking for soothing messages from false teachers.

Sadly, it is increasingly emerging that sections of the Kenyan Christian community that used to proclaim biblical truth have now turned to the prosperity gospel. Some church leaders and preachers who used to be passionate about souls in the 1990s are nowadays champions of the health and wealth gospel. Their messages are only focused on earthly riches rather than on preaching Christ crucified.

Here's my encouragement to the children of God...

We don't need to panic at all. Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father. He reigns even in this difficult season. His Spirit indwells, comforts and guides His children in truth (John 14:15-18). No true child of God will be lost to deception if they keep their focus on Christ and His word.

Christ is soon coming to take away His Church. May we be part of this historic group that will meet Christ in the air and forever dwell in His divine presence. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The Bible says in Revelation 20:6 "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."



Shalom.