...faith, hope love remain, these three; but the greatest of
these is love.[1]
There are many opinions and theories concerning God’s word
which can be distractions to the way we should live as believers. Paul wrote to
a young companion, “...avoid
stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for
they are unprofitable and worthless.”[2] Speculation on the end of
the earth, or what eternity will be like is a waste of effort. Opinions on
things that are beyond our control and understanding do not edify believers. We
live by faith, and reaching into subjects that are vague or contentious is not
a profitable pursuit. Topics like the Rapture are divisive since they are based
on misconceptions, and manipulation of scripture.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.
Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called
knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the
faith. Grace be with you.[3]
Paul in writing to the young evangelists was concerned that
they didn’t become embroiled in arguments of things of no concern.
Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless
controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant
must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher,
patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that
they will repent and come to know the truth, and that they may escape from
the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.[4]
All believers must live by faith. Matters of the future should
not determine how we live, nor should they consume our time and effort. We
believe what God has said, by faith. We shouldn’t waste time speculating. As
the old song said, “what will be, will be.” Jesus said not to worry about
tomorrow. The relationship one believer has with another is based on themutual
belief that Jesus is the Son of God. John in his gospel wrote, “What must we do to perform the
works of God?” Jesus
answered them, “This
is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”[5] Touching on doctrines and
theories, belief in Jesus is paramount. Believers have to believe. That’s a
weird statement, but an essential one, because sometimes believers don’t
believe Jesus.
A case in point, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death
before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” I have read many
explanations for what Jesus said. There are numerous theories stating the
kingdom is yet to come. There is teaching that Jesus has yet to return. I
believe that what Jesus said would happen, did happen. If the theories of the
Rapture and/or, a yet to occur “return of Jesus”, are correct, they make Jesus
out to be deceptive. He did say he would return in the lifetime of some who
were listening to him.
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus
loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the
supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray
you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about
him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until
I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the
community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he
would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is
that to you?" This is the disciple who is testifying to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.[6]
Jesus told Peter that John would be alive when he returned.
His statement was either true or false. There is no waffle room, it is one or
the other. You either believe Jesus, or you don’t. What Jesus said was either
true or false. If the theories of the Rapture are true, then Jesus deceived
those he told “some would be alive when he returned.” Opinions and speculation
on scripture need to be assessed by the Word. As believers, we share the
blessings of being in the kingdom. We walk by faith not sight. Any doctrine or
theory that contradicts the word of Jesus, must be discarded.
The atheist Bertrand Russell picked up on what he saw as a
failing of Christians. In his essay, Why I am not a Christian, he pointed out
that Jesus clearly said he would return in the lifetime of some of those
listening to him. And since Christians were still waiting for the event, Jesus
was mistaken, and unwise, because what he said was wrong. As believers we are
to believe, not to figure out ways to skirt around the truth. “For no word from God will ever fail.”[7]
Our example is Jesus. The way Jesus lived, the way he
interacted with people, the way he connected with his Father, these qualities,
we are to copy. In response to a Pharisee concerning the commandments, Jesus
said:
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is
the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets."[8]
The answer Jesus gave, is a summation of our life in Jesus.
Our devotion must be to God, and our activity must be to love others.
Religion that God our Father accepts
as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their
distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.[9]
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