How many Wise Men, How many Gifts?

“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” 

(Matthew 2:11, NASB).

According to Christian tradition, there were three wise men who came from the East with three gifts. The question is, is this true? The passage in question is found in Matthew 2:1-12. First, the passage in question talks about the “Magi” a caste of wise men specializing in astronomy, astrology, and natural science. The term Magi is in the plural. So we know it is talking about more than one wise man. However, this does not imply there were three wise men as often heard during Christmas time. For all we know there could have been as many as a dozen wise men. No doubt, the popular notion that assumes there were three wise men comes from the three types of gifts that were given. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (see Matt. 2:11). The truth is, the Scriptures never tells us that three wise men, or Magi came searching for the birth place of Christ the child, nor does the Bible tell us how many wise men came. Second, the question about how many gifts were given is usually believed to be only three gifts. Again today’s text does not say only three gifts were given. The passage only tells us that three specific types of gifts were given, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It does not tell us how many gifts were actually given. The gold speaks of Christ’s deity as the Son of God, the frankincense tells us of His holy and righteous life as the Son of Man, and myrrh reveals to us the sufferings of Christ as the Lamb of God. Not only were such gifts given to the Christ child as an act of worship by the wise men. They also prophetically speak of His life and purpose. To conclude, since the passage of Scripture does not tell us how many wise men there were, we also don’t know how many gifts were given. To teach there were three wise men who gave three gifts is reading into the text what is not there. It is being dishonest with the word of God to teach a congregation or an individual that there were only three wise men who presented only three gifts to the Christ child. Dear reader, let’s stay true to the text of God’s Word and teach what it actually says, not what tradition or poor Biblical hermeneutics wrongly asserts.

Heavenly Father, there is so much misinformation and misinterpretation being passed off as the truth of God’s Word during Christmas time. Today’s text about the Magi and the gifts presented to Christ is only one example among a number. Lord, help us to be true to Your Word and present only the truth of Scripture to those we share it with, in Christ name. Amen.

The Magi’s Question that Troubled Herod

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 

(Matthew 2:2, NASB).

This chapter in the Gospel of Matthew opens with the “Magi [wise men] from the east” asking a very pertinent question: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” This question had quite an impact upon king Herod and all Jerusalem. For verse 3 tells us that Herod and all Jerusalem “heard this” question, and it troubled them all. Imagine, Jerusalem, known as the “The City of Peace” was troubled at the news of the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). It is interesting to note that king Ahab had this in common with king Herod, for “When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is this you, you troubler of Israel?"” (1 Kings 18:17, NASB). Ahab was troubled at the sight of Elijah, a prophet of God, who had peace with God. Now we read in today’s passage of another “troubler of Israel.” Only this time, we are not dealing with a prophet of God, but the very Son of God! It is this Son of God who the prophets prophesied of His coming into the world in the flesh, this “King of the Jews” that troubled Herod and all of Jerusalem. So it is with man. He may proclaim he has peace, but is troubled at the good news of the Gospel that teaches that only Christ can give true lasting peace. For apart from Christ, man can never know true satisfying peace. On hearing this troubling question, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”  Herod “gathered together all the chief priests and scribes of the people” to find out where the “Messiah was to be born.” Four truths can be drawn from this scene: 

First, we read that Herod and all of Jerusalem were troubled about the news of Christ, whereas the wise men rejoiced (see Matt. 2:3, 10-11)! 

Second, we see Herod enquiring about the birth of Christ through the religious rulers. The religious rulers were not the wise men who sought and knew about the birth of Christ. They could quote Scripture, but they did not seek His coming. So it is with religious man, he knows what Scriptures say about Christ, but do not know Him personally as Lord and Saviour (see Matt. 2:4; John 3:3, 7; Rom. 10:9-10). 

Third, we note that Christ was not found, nor was He born in Jerusalem, this supposed city of peace. So it is with man. As long as man erects his own “city of peace,” the true peace of Christ will never be found there (see John 14:27).  The human heart can know no true peace until it finds peace with God. 

Fourth, just as “Bethlehem” [house of bread] was the birth place of Christ, so it is with the believer who has trusted Christ. His heart is a “little Bethlehem” where Christ dwells. Because The Lord Jesus is “the Bread of life” (John 6:35) the believer has bread to share with those who hunger for God’s salvation that satisfies.

 Five, finally we read of Herod’s deceptive reason for wanting to find the Christ child. He told the Magi he wanted to “worship Him” (Matt. 2:8), when really he wanted to kill him (see Matt. 2:13). So it is with the natural man. The flesh cannot reign beside Christ in the heart, neither will Christ share the throne of a man’s heart with the flesh. Either man dies to the flesh or he dies to Christ. The truth is man needs to die in the death of Christ in order to truly be dead to his flesh. Only then, can we have our Bethlehem, were Christ is born in our very heart!

Lord God, we are challenged by today’s passage that is often read at Christmas time. Are we troubled at the good news of Christ coming into the world like Herod was? Or do we rejoice at the news of Christ like the Magi did? How we answer such questions reveals where our heart is with God. We can never have true lasting joy and peace in our heart, if we do not have peace with God. Thank you dear Lord, for sending Christ into the world to die for our sins; in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

WHERE DO WE DRAW OUR WEALTH FROM?

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, NASB).

Riches don't make a man wealthy, it is the man behind the riches that makes him truly wealthy. The man who only has material wealth to offer is truly impoverished, whereas the man who is wealthy in character and personality is truly Rich! Richer and more wealthy still is the man whose inheritance is in Christ. (see Rom. 8:17; Eph. 1:11-18). To know the Lord Jesus Christ as one's Saviour gives that person access to an endless supply of wealth to draw from. For rich is the man whose wealth is in Christ! "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15, NASB).

During this Christmas season, let's not just focus on what we get in material blessings, but instead, let's focus on that one specific Gift, the Gift that trumps all gifts. The very Gift God the Father gave, when He sent that "indescribable gift" of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Let us give special thanks giving and praise this Christmas season for the best Gift of all, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Wealthy is the man,

Who has his inheritance in Christ!

Wealthy is the man,

Who has trust in the work of Christ! 

Impoverished is his soul,

Who only makes passing wealth his goal.

Wise is the man who has Christ,

Who has trusted in His sacrifice.

"LOVE THY SELFIE"

"For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy" (2 Timothy 3:2, ESV).  

It is no secret that "self love" is on the rise today. So much so that the present generation is three times more "self-centered" than the previous generations. It is one thing to "love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31, ESV), but it is quite another thing, when you have an unhealthy view of yourself. For another Scripture says, "I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he[she] ought to think." (Rom. 12:3, NASB). It is hard to focus on others, if our focus is too much on ourselves. The Apostle Paul instructs "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Phil. 2:3-4, NASB).

At present, there is much in music, the social media, magazines, movies, and so on in our society that promotes the "self" life. Modern technology is boasted to help make our lives easier, but instead it has fed our egos and inflated our self-esteem in such a way that we think too highly of ourselves. Many people from various age groups have become narcissistic, self-entitled, and privileged. Such people get easily offended if you don't feed into their over inflated perception of themselves. Such social websites as Facebook is chalk full of profiles of young people who have numerous "selfie" photos. It's like they are obsessed with themselves and addicted to the attention they get from the number of likes and complimenting comments they get. 

I have personally come across this type of behaviour myself, in my interactions with some women here on Facebook. Look, I'm not against people taking pictures of themselves, but when you see their photo page littered with selfies, or their conversations with you peppered with little selfie shots, then it's obvious there is a deep underlying problem in their life. It's a cry for attention, insecurity, or as mentioned earlier an unhealthy obsession with one's self. For example, one 40 something lady on Facebook, titled her photo section, "LOVE THY SELFIE." She had over 200+ selfies. Or as one guest, Iyanla Vanzant on Oprah Winfrey put it, "It is Self-full to put yourself first." This lady on Oprah's show was exalting self as an actual virtue! Imagine that! Even more disturbing was when she cited this quote from A Course on Miracles: "When you give to others to the degree that you sacrifice yourself, you make the other person a thief." Then she concluded, "They are stealing from you what you need, and they don't even know it." This of course is in complete opposition to Jesus' words, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, NASB). Again, Jesus says, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matt. 16:25, NASB). Noted author, Ayn Rand, in his very telling book, The Virtue of Selfishness" made this self exalting statement: "To hold one's own life as one's ultimate value, and one's own happiness as one's highest purpose are two aspects of the same achievement." With such comments, is it any wonder people today are so self-centered and narcissistic. Whether people realize it or not, this unhealthy act of self-love, is a form of "self" worship. It is idolatry (see Ex. 20:3-5). Actually, the practice of self love and the worship of self is known among Satanist as one of their most revered practices.

The wonderful news is, it doesn't have to be that way. You don't need to post a hundred selfies to get validation from others. Put away your video cameras, cell phones, iphones, and other computerized gadgets and go out and talk to people, really make an effort to socialize with people without whipping out your cell phone every few minutes to check your messages and updates. Really make an effort to focus your interest on other people, and never seek validation from others. If you really want validation from other people, then give them a reason to do so, by focusing your attention on them, and not yourself. Put your focus on Christ, and not yourself; put your focus on your neighbor, and not yourself. Make this a daily habit, and soon you will reap the positive benefits from it. I challenge you with this thought provoking quote from Jim Elliot: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose."

I came across this quote from a friend on here on Facebook. The quote reads:

"So many years of education, yet nobody ever taught us how to love ourselves, and why it's so important." -Spirit Science. 

I would not say education is the problem, but rather the issue is, they don't know how to love themselves appropriately. For most people don't have a problem loving themselves. People are usually full of self love, so much so that many are narcissistic, in love with themselves. It is a self-centered kind of love that fails to reach beyond one's self in love towards others. For the Scripture says, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31, ESV). You see, it is too much self love that is the real problem here, not a lack of it. People need to be taught to not love themselves too much to the exclusion of others. Why is this so important? Because without a healthy balance between loving our self properly and loving others appropriately, we get off balance and fall victim to such inappropriate behaviours as self-entitlement and narcissism.

Notice the host of sinful problems that follow right after Paul's phrase, "For people will be lovers of self." The list goes beyond just the verse in today's text. The complete list reads as follows: "lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God," (2 Tim. 3:3-4, ESV). This of course is akin to the works of the flesh (see Gal. 5:19-21). If focusing on loving our self amounts to producing such bad fruit that is mentioned in the list of bad behaviours by Paul in the verses above, I will gladly pass. I would rather have the fruits of the spirit produced in my life, which are as follows: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Gal. 5:22-23, ESV). You see, as I stated earlier, it is not a lack of loving our self that is the real problem here, but rather it is "self love" that is at the root of our problem. If we are to be taught how to love, it should be in how to love others. For we selfishly love ourselves naturally. With that said, I concluded with Jesus words here: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, ESV).

LGBT – Choice or Genes?

By Mark Escalera 

The science aspect of this question is rather simple. There is no “gay” gene. There never has been a “gay” gene. There never will be a “gay” gene. Modern scientists will strive in vain to find that which undermines and countermands the Word of God. The reason is because modern culture hates everything about God. It hates the Bible with a passion because it points out the sin nature that is found in every man, woman, and child who has ever lived. Modern culture wants to think that man is getting better and better. Because of this thought process, it demands that all must conform equally to whatever is considered to be the acceptable norm.

Enter the LGBT community along with their open and unashamed agenda for the total destruction of all that is right and wholesome. How have we come so far in such a short time?

There was a time when acts such as lesbianism and homosexuality were punishable as crimes, and we do not have to go all the way back to the Old Testament to find that such behavior has long been considered an abomination. However, if the only guide we had to what is acceptable behavior, we can go all the way back to creation to find that God made them male and female. Ultimately, the final authority belongs to God. He created marriage to be between one man and one woman, but sin has destroyed all of that. God created marriage to produce and populate the earth and to care for His creation, but sin has destroyed all of that.

The wickedness of the earth continues to grow as it rises in rebellion against God.

The advent of television and movies is probably one of the greatest contributors to the open acceptance of the perversions that run rampant in our societies over the last century. We found out that certain movie stars were womanizers, adulterers, fornicators, or living a life as a homosexual or lesbian, and we excused it because, “That’s just Hollywood.”

People acting in an effeminate manner were mocked but only for a short time. The so-called wholesome family shows soon began mocking the family unit. The role played by the husband was denigrated and they were made to look like bumbling fools. The beautiful picture of a lady quickly faded into obscurity as women were paraded into more and more masculine roles.

Bedroom scenes quickly moved from a man and woman sleeping in separate beds to the actors being filmed in risqué and questionable situations. Before long, that was not enough for audiences and the movies began to include partial nudity. Then, it became more open as the cameras relished in the depraved scenes mocking all that God created to be holy within the bonds of matrimony.

But that was never enough! Movies began to flirt with lustful relationships between two men or two women, then proceeded to make films and tv episodes where homosexuality and lesbianism was fully acceptable. Those who cried against these perversions were mocked as being prudes and as those “Christian types who really don’t understand that God is love and that He loves everybody just like they are and that He even created some men to love other men or some women to love other women.”

Do we wonder why there are so many who have chosen lifestyles that are opposed to God? It is because culture has made it seem innocent. It has taken all that is good and holy before God and destroyed it a little bit at a time. What is acceptable now brings little more than a yawn to many, even to some who claim to be followers of Christ. Such portrayals on the screen 20, 30, or 50 years ago would have brought the wrath of much of America down on the heads of movie studios.

However, the movie producers were smart. Test the waters enough and before long, what is sin and wickedness will be acceptable. Now, social media like Twitter and Facebook has allowed those who live in open rebellion against God and His Word to parade their sin. Gay parades and the accompanying perversions of those who prey against our children is no longer headline news. Those who make the news are the “bigots” who stand in the way of cultural evolution as “the earth moves towards a utopian society.”

In just a few short decades, the LGBT community went from only wanting to be free to do whatever they wanted in the privacy of their homes to demanding that their perversions must be taught to impressionable young boys and girls. Believers got a little squeamish with the idea but began hearing from the pulpit that “God loves people just like they are. He wants us to accept people for who they are. Whatever they do in the privacy of their own homes is none of our business.” And we bought the lies. Churches began to accept the depravity a bit at a time.

Public schools were the breeding ground for the introduction of sexual freedom of all kinds to children. Children went home and the things not acceptable in homes was openly allowed to be portrayed on the televisions when they got home from school. The sexual revolution opened the door and now pregnancy out of wedlock and people openly living together with no commitment and no marriage is totally acceptable. To question a person living in such a lifestyle is to be a bigot.

Is it any wonder that once society accepted the perversions, and the family allowed the perversions on the screen, and then the church accepted the perversions – is it really any wonder that boys and girls are growing up in confusion as to what they were created to be? Today, judges are passing laws that demand equal rights for those who want to live in a fantasy world while demanding that those with any morals left be held in contempt of court.

Churches stopped taking a stand for truth. Pastors failed to prepare the hearts of the believers to stand for the truth because there were no more absolutes. Absolutes were only for bigots. Churches went from preaching the truth to accepting all lifestyles that were opposed to all that is holy to God. Pastors stopped preaching against sin because it was not popular and would cause a decline in the offerings every Sunday.

What sane person finds it acceptable for a man to walk into a woman’s bathroom because he thinks he is a woman? What sane person finds it believable that through the use of medicine and genital mutilation a person can actually change themselves from a man to a woman or from a woman to a man? Sorry, but Bruce Jenner will always be a man and he is no hero. He is a man who needs to seek forgiveness from the Most High God that he has offended and against Who he lives in outright rebellion.

What is next? Polygamy? Many false religions already allow for this and it will not be long before they will demand equal protection for their lifestyle. The polygamists of Utah and Colorado used to be a very quiet group who worked diligently to stay under the radar of the authorities. Now, television and movies have promoted this lifestyle as being acceptable. Judges are already throwing out cases that involve polygamy and it will not be long before polygamy will no longer be a crime, but will be openly acceptable behavior from any who choose to have more than one husband or one wife.

What else is coming? Bestiality? Lowering the age of consent to accommodate the agenda of the LGBT community? Yep, all of the above and even worse will be coming because our societies in the west are on a cliff-face headed straight for hell. If you doubt that the LGBT community has an agenda, then you are living like an ostrich with your head in the sand.

The Roman Empire was destroyed from within by its debauchery. Rome became a place where biblical Christianity was mocked while allowing polygamy, slavery, and the selling of boys and girls for whatever perversions were needed to satisfy a person’s lust was on offer. Our society will also soon be there because it hates God, but God will not be mocked. Neither will His judgment be withheld forever.

However, there is hope that is found in Jesus Christ alone. You will never find hope inside of a pill, or drugs, or a bottle, or illicit sex, or lust-filled relationships. The emptiness that is within the heart of each person can only be filled by Jesus Christ. When a person comes to the end of themselves and realizes that they are lost in the depravity of their sin, only then will they be able to understand the joy that belongs to true believers. Repent from your sin while there is yet time.

If you claim to know Christ, you cannot remain in your sin or your perversions otherwise the Bible makes it clear that you are not a true believer. If you are called to be a minister, you must take a stand for truth regardless of what it will cost you.

HOW THANKFUL ARE WE REALLY?

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

(1 Thess. 5:18, NASB).

Yes, my friend, you read correctly. We are to give thanks "in everything." Challenging text to live out in our life, isn't it? It is not easy to be thankful in everything. It's easy to be thankful when things are going well in our life, but very difficult to be thankful when everything seems to be going wrong in our life. It's hard to be thankful when you don't get that job promotion. It's not easy to be thankful when you lose a loved one. It's difficult to thank God when prayers don't get answered in the way you like, or when you are still waiting on the Lord for an answer. The fact is, it is God's will that we give thanks in everything, whether good or bad. Oh, that we would be wise and adopt Job's attitude when he said: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15, KJV).

The danger in being a Christian here in America, is that we are so blessed that we have become ungrateful and dissatisfied. Compared to most of the countries of the world, we are extremely wealthy. We have become far to comfortable and complacent in our attitude. Far too many in the Church here in the West have become proud, self-centered, narcissistic, and privileged. We have taken God's blessings for granted, we have taken Him for granted. Instead of thanking the Lord for His many wonderful blessings, we selfishly complain. Yet, there are many people in third world countries that would gladly trade places with us. It seems the more God shows His goodness to us, the less we thank Him for it. How ironic, that even animals show more gratitude to their Creator than man does. The truth is the Western Church is materially wealthy, but spiritually poor. John writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote this indictment on the Church in Laodicea: "'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,.." (Rev. 3:17, NASB). Does this not aptly describe the state of the American Church today? 

Today, I had the blessing of being invited to a friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner. After dinner, we were asked to share what we were thankful for. When my turn came I stated I was thankful for the trials and difficulties in my life that has given me invaluable wisdom and experience, and has helped to contribute to the book I am presently writing, and God willing, will soon get published. I don't find it easy saying that, especially when life gets hard and frustrating. Yet, my attitude during such times needs to be like that of the Psalmist, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes." (Psalm 119:71, NASB). In God's school of difficulties, no child of God gets exempt. The only way to genuine spiritual growth and maturity is the way of the cross. It is when life's hardships visit us we should consider them life's opportunities for spiritual growth.

The Apostle Paul gives cause for the Roman Church to give thanks, when he wrote: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28, NASB). Later in the same chapter, Paul said: "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." (Rom. 8:37, NASB). Then there is Paul's words to the Philippian Church: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Phil. 4:6, NASB). There's that phrase again, "in everything." The NIV says, "in every situation." The phrases in the above Scripture texts, "all things" and "all these things" carries the same truth as seen in the phrase in today's text: "In everything."

So we have the truth being conveyed here that we are to give thanks "in everything;" next, "in all these things" we are more than conquerors. Why? Because the Lord is with us, which makes all the difference (see Phil. 4:13); then "in everything" by prayer and supplication, there's that word again "with thanksgiving" make our requests known to God. Not only are we to give thanks in everything, but it is God's will that we do so. So tell me, how thankful are you?

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, 

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. 

Count your blessings, name them one by one, 

Count your blessings, see what God has done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God has done. 

(Johnson Oatman, Jr.)

MODERN DAY PHARISEES!

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves." (Matthew 23:15, ESV).

The Pharisees who lived during the time of Christ were quite zealous for their efforts in winning people to Judaism. However, they really lacked in the areas of showing love, justice, mercy, and faith. When the Lord Jesus renounced the Pharisees, He pointed out this very thing (see 23:23). Because Pharisees were not known for their love, they could be cruel indignant, and arrogant. This certainly can be seen in their ill treatment of their Messiah, Jesus Christ that their Old Testament Scriptures prophecied about. Sadly, do we not see this type of attitude creeping into our local Churches today? Sure, some of us may be just as zealous in winning souls to Christ today as the Scribes and Pharisees were in their effort to proselytize people to Judaism. Sadly, for many of God's children today, that is not the only thing we have emulated from the ancient Pharisees. Unfortunately, we have adopted their cold, unloving, harsh, indifferent, and legalistic ways as well. The believers in many local Churches today have become quite Self-centered, when they should be Christ-centered. God forbid if this is true of us.

So what are some of the Symptoms we need to watch out for in regards to Phariseeism?

(1.) Pharisees love the praise of men. For Matthew writes, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." (Matthew 6:5, ESV). Again Matthew says, "They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long," (Matthew 23:5, ESV). Notice what Jesus says here "that they may be seen by others" and "to be seen by others." The scribes and Pharisees were NOT concerned about bringing glory to God, for they wanted the glory for themselves. They were more concerned about drawing attention to themselves, rather than to the Lord. They desired the approval of man rather than God's approval. Hence, the Lord Jesus says of them, "Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."

(2.) Phariseeism is legalism. Their focus was more on the letter of the law then the Spirit of the law. They were also more taken up with keeping the traditions of the fathers, than they were the Holy Scriptures; they were more interested in condemning people then they were commending them; they majored on the minors and minored on the major issues. Not much has changed since then. There are modern day Pharisees within the body of Christ who do the same thing today. Often legalistic Christians will pressure other believers to feel they have to measure up to their standard of righteousness.

(3.) Phariseeism glorifies the FLESH, therefore robbing God of the glory due to His name; whereas the Christ centered believer glorifies Christ in the SPIRIT, therefore rightly taking back from the flesh the glory that only belongs to God! May the Lord preserve us from adopting a Pharisee attitude as we seek to live and serve our beloved Lord Jesus Christ.

Does The Women At the Tomb Scripture Passages Contradict Each Other?

Here are three Bible verses that are often assumed to be alleged contradictions. Yet, as we shall see, that is not the case at all. The Bible verses in question are as follows:

"MAT 28:1 “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.”

MAR 16:1 “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.”

JOH 20:1 “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre."

Then the skeptic will pose this question to the Christian. "Who was at the Tomb? Is it..."

FIRST, there are four accounts as follows, not three: Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1. You left out the account in Luke's Gospel.

SECOND, there is no contradiction here. What we have is four accounts of the women at the sepulchre [tomb]. The fact that each of the accounts differ from one another, does not disprove that the accounts were not true, nor does it contradict it. Instead, it rather confirms more strongly the genuineness of the accounts in question. Had each account been written the exact same, word for word, then that would certainly cast doubt on the accounts given, and weaken the authenticity of the incidents in question.

THIRD, not all of these events of the women occurred at the same time, like in the case with Mary Magdalene weeping at the tomb. Actually, the Gospel accounts tell us that Mary Magdalene made more than one trip to the Tomb.

FOURTH, the details in some of the accounts of the names of the women mentioned, differ from each other. Again, such details of names that differ from each account rather strengthens, not weakens the integrity of each Gospel writer. If you have four different witnesses at a crime scene that seen the murder take place. Each one that gets questioned by the police about what happened are going to give accounts that are the same, but with different details of what happened. If each witness told their story the exact same, word for word, as let's say the first witness, then that would make each of their stories of what happened questionable. It would make the investigators wonder if the witnesses came together to collaborate their stories to possibly hide, or leave out important evidence that is crucial to solving the murder case.

FIFTH, the account mentioned in Luke 24:1 uses the phrases "they came" and "they had." There is no mention to who "they" are by name. Not until verse ten are the names revealed of the women that visited the Tomb that resurrection morning.

SIXTH, finally, looking at each of these accounts is like viewing four different sections of the same picture an artist painted. Each part of the painting not only compliments, but is necessary for the picture as a whole. The same truth can be conveyed, when construction workers build walls in each room of a house they are constructing. The construction workers don't knock down the walls just because the walls in the master bedroom differs in details from the walls of the bathroom or the living room. Of course not! All of the walls are needful and necessary for the completion of that one house under construction. The same truth is conveyed in the differing accounts of the women at the tomb. 

THE STRENGTH OF MEEKNESS

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

(Matthew 5:5, ESV)

People often mistake meekness for weakness. The fact is, meekness is a strength. Meekness is strength under control. It is a strength without the use of force. Meekness is a passive form of strength, but nevertheless a necessary strength. Meekness is a virtue in which strength is used in a gentle way. It is the ability to be able to use the right amount of force in your strength to deal with an issue or situation that may come up during your day. In other words, meekness is the strength of gentleness and gentleness is the strength of meekness. A friend once said in a sermon, “The gentleness of our demeanor reveals the greatness of our God.” So it is that if a man’s great strength is his meekness, then this testifies to the greatness of God manifested in his life through that man’s gentle spirit. According to the Scriptures, the Prophet Moses was marked by a very meek spirit, for we read in Numbers 12:3,“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” (ESV). Now other translations of the Bible use the word “humble” instead of the term meek. These two virtues are like two different sides of the same coin. However, in a sense these two virtues are so closely associated with each other that it’s safe to say that a person who is humble possesses the strength of meekness, and a person who is meek possesses the spirit of humility. Moses exemplified these virtues well, yet he failed in this his greatest strength, because the children of Israel provoked him to anger. In other words, he lost control of his temper, when he needed most to remain meek and humble in the situation. 

DO WE GET A FREE PASS TO HEAVEN?

"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, KJV)

The above text makes it clear, there are no exceptions to this truth. If a person is not born again, he or she can never get to heaven, or "see the kingdom of God" as today's text says. Yet some will argue, but "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NASB). Then they will say, "You see, since I "believe" in God, I am therefore going to heaven." Yet their belief is only superficial. It is not really based on the principle of faith that the Scripture talks about. They have a belief without repentance. There belief is based more on what they think, than what the Word of God actually teaches. They want a loving God who will overlook their sin, and not judge them for it. They argue, "If God loves me so much, then He should accept me the way I am." The fact is God loves us way too much to leave us the way we are, "dead in [our] trespasses and sins." (Eph. 2:1). Such people ignore the significance of John 3:3, 7, 16. They also ignore such Scripture passages that say, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36, NASB). I like how the ESV version translates the last part of this text: "but the wrath of God remains on him." The key word here is "remains" or "abides" (NASB) on him. The truth is, it is not enough to just "believe" in God, you must "trust" in Him for salvation. As long as a unbeliever holds to a belief in God without repentance, the "wrath of God" will always "remain on him" For "even the demons believe--and tremble" for they well know they are going to be judged for their wickedness (see James 2:19, NKJV).

I don't mean to come across as unkind here, but isn't it funny how many funerals will present a deceased loved one as automatically going to heaven by the minister conducting the service, in fear of offending the people present, they get a free pass to go to heaven? Is not the minister being dishonest here? Is this not a greater unkindness in withholding the truth? Yet, it was known among family and friends that the deceased person in their life time had no time for God, or Church, or anything that had to do with the Bible. The person wanted nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity. To him or her they were all a bunch of hypocrites. Such a person gave no sign or evidence of ever being "born again." Instead, the person mocked God, and became a self-appointed judge over God. In a sense, the deceased person in their life time were their own little god, he or she got to decide what was right or what was wrong for them. So here the deceased person in their life time spent so much time judging God, that they never gave thought to the fact that the One they were judging was going to be the Judge of all judges he or she was going to face!

My friend, there are no exceptions here. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." There are no free passes to heaven, none! The price for man's redemption came at such a great cost in God the Father sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins on the Cross. "For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 6:23, NKJV). Dear reader, do you feel the burden of your sin weighing you down? Do you sense your hopeless, lost condition before the Lord? Well, there's hope in Christ to those who repent of their sin and place their faith in the work of redemption that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross for you. There may not be a free pass to heaven, but the pass to heaven has been paid for at such a great infinite cost, through the precious blood of Christ that was shed for sinners. Oh trust in Him today, while there's still time.

DOES DEUTERONOMY 22:28-29 TEACH THAT GOD APPROVES OF RAPE, AND EXPECTS THE RAPE VICTIM TO MARRY THE RAPIST?

An atheist on Youtube argued and misquoted Deuteronomy 22:28-29 as meaning that God does not punish the rapist, but in a sense approves of the rape by having the victim marry the rapist. He wrote:

"And God's remedy for rape is to punish the rapist by making him marry the woman he rapes if she is unmarried, but woe unto the man who rapes a married woman, as he has now committed a much worse offense as he has devalued the husband's property.
END RESULT: The bible is AWFUL.
Here is the english text of Deuteronomy 22 ;28-29
If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, 29 he shall pay her father fifty shekels[a] of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives."

First, What "english text of Deuteronomy 22:28-29" are you quoting from?

Second, Here is one English translation of Deuteronomy 22:28 that says, "If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and "rapes her" and they are discovered," (NIV). The word "rape" is not a good translation here.The KJV says "lay hold on her," and the NASB, ESV states, "seizes her," No doubt, the phrases from these other translations appear to be strong as well, but they do not say rape. However, three points can be drawn from the passage in question:

(1.) In light of the context of the other examples given in Deuteronomy 22, if it were in fact rape, she would have "cried out," like the woman in verses 23-24, 27 did. The truth is, she did not. There is no indication presented in verses 28-29 of the woman being in any kind of distress.

(2.) Instead, we read these words, "they are discovered." This indicates the woman had consented. Now whether they were caught having sex, or they both confessed their sin of sexual intercourse, or was found to be pregnant. Whatever the case be, their sex affair was found out.

(3.) Hence, according to verse 29 the man is required to pay a fee to the girl's father, and if the father gives his daughter to him to marry, he cannot divorce her for the rest of his days. This may not sound like punishment, but if the father gives his daughter to him to marry, he is stuck with her for the rest of his life. So his careless fling with this woman would be costly. Especially if he doesn't want to marry her. The fact is, in ancient times a woman's virginity was highly prized. If a young woman lost her virginity, even on the account of rape, it would be very difficult for her to find a man to marry her. Without a husband to care for her, it would be very difficult for her to earn a living. Usually such women would either prostitute themselves or sell themselves as slaves in order to survive. 

Third, Deuteronomy 22:25 reads as follows: "But if in the field the man finds the girl who is engaged, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lies with her shall die." (NASB). Now the example in verse 25 is rape. For we read the phrase "forces her" which indicates an actual rape took place. Verse 27 states when she was in the field where the man raped her, there was no one around to save her, when she cried out for help. Again, verse 25 states that the rapist is to be put to death. Here we see the crime of rape is punishable by death.

These verses completely refutes the atheist and skeptic's accusation that the Bible is immoral in allowing the rapist to get away with the crime, and instead is required to marry the victim as a form of punishment as noted in Deuteronomy 22:28-29. The "Context" is the key here in understanding the passage in question. This is something atheists need to understand before making such foolish assumptions and accusations about the Bible they don't have a clue about.

Commentator John Gill gives this insight on the passage in question, Deuteronomy 22:28. He writes:

"If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed,.... That is, meets with one in a field, which is not espoused to a man; and the man is supposed to be an unmarried man, as appears by what follows: and lay hold on her, and lie with her, she yielding to it, and so is not expressive of a rape, as Deuteronomy 22:25 where a different word from this is there used; which signifies taking strong hold of her, and ravishing her by force; yet this, though owing to his first violent seizure of her, and so different from what was obtained by enticing words, professions of love, and promises of marriage, and the like, as in Exodus 22:16 but not without her consent: and they be found; in the field together, and in the fact; or however there are witnesses of it, or they themselves have confessed, it, and perhaps betrayed by her pregnancy." (see Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible).

THREE ATTITUDES A CHRISTIAN SHOULD AVOID

The problem I see with the church and with many fellow Christians in general today is indifference to their own faith. I'm sure there are a number of reasons for that. Personally, I think there are three primary reasons why a lot of Christians will not make a stand for Christ and the principles we hold to is because such believers are too much like the world.

1. The Compromising Christian: Their reasoning is we need to be like the world in order to win unbelievers out of the world. Such misguided believers misinterpret Paul's words: “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some." (1 Cor. 9:22, NASB). The question this raises is what difference does Christ make then in a sinner's life? If we are to behave like those in the world, then how can we show those in the world the difference Christ has made in our lives? The fact is Paul became "all things" whether a Jew, Gentile, Roman, slave, or free in order to win them to Christ. By no means does this imply he practiced the various corruptions and sins in order to be like a pagan, Roman, or any other person who he was trying to win to Christ. He could behave according to the custom and behavior expected of a Roman citizen, or as a Jewish citizen for that matter without adopting their questionable, sinful practices. However, the saint is called to be like Christ. Paul puts it this way, and instructs us to: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Rom. 13:14, NASB).

2. The Christian who will not submit to the Cost: There are those who call themselves Christians, who are not willing to suffer the cost of being associated with Christ or fellow saints. Such Christians love it when things are going great, but quickly bail at the first sign of persecution. They want to follow Christ on their terms, not God's. Paul knew this all too well, for one of his fellow workers, “Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica” (2 Tim. 4:10, NASB). Demas, did not want to share in the Apostle Paul’s suffering and persecution, let alone share in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings. He was too much a companion of this world to be a true companion to the Apostle. Of such, James writes: “You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, NASB). How can any Christian truly be at peace and friends with a world that has the blood of Christ on their hands? The Apostle John’s words are clear: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15, NASB). So what should our attitude be to the world? Again, Paul writes: “And those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.” (1 Cor. 7:31, NKJV). The fact is, to the child of God, this present world is not their home. We are travelers not settlers here in this world. To the believer the world has been crucified to him/her, and the believer to the world (see Gal. 6:14; 2:20). 

3. The Condemning Christian: This type of Christian is highly critical of both Christians and non-Christians. The moment he learns a particular Christian or unbeliever falls short of the condemning Christian's unreasonable expectations and standards, he or she like the Pharisee of old will harshly judge and condemn that person. First, to the fellow saint, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1, NASB). If Christ does not condemn our brother or sister in Christ for their faults, neither should we. Second, The Lord Jesus was not an isolationist, for He often sat and ate with sinners. The Lord Jesus' attitude towards the condemning was "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32, NASB). Self righteousness is not a virtue, Christ's righteousness is! Let us adopt His righteous attitude, and stop condemning our fellow brother in the Lord.

As believers in Christ, let's avoid being compromising, Christ denying, condemning Christians. Let's glorify Christ by lip, by love, and by our life!