“Dread Nothing” ( Acts 20: 24, WYC, KJV, HCSB, NIV ) by Carley Evans

English: St. Paul by El Greco, c. 1608-1614. Originally taken from artchive.com (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Paul is warned by the Holy Spirit to expect hardships and prison. He writes:

“But I dread nothing of these, neither I make my life preciouser than myself, so that I end my course [the while I end, or fulfill, my course], and the ministry of the word, which I received of the Lord Jesus, to witness the gospel of the grace of God.” (WYC)

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (KJV)

“But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course^{[with joy]} and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” (HCSB)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me —the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (NIV-1984)

I love the Wycliffe Bible translation! Note that Paul is not testifying about the gospel of the grace of God, but he is witnessing the good news firsthand. He is not counting his life so precious that he dreads imprisonment or hardships. Rather he determines not to “end his course” before he finishes “the ministry of the Word, which [he] received of the Lord Jesus.”

Perhaps the other translations miss this subtlety only slightly — that Paul does not testify about the gospel; but rather witnesses it himself. What Paul works to complete is “the ministry of the Word” which is certainly more than telling others the good news. Paul determines to consider his life worthless in comparison to his calling — for to Paul, to live is Christ and to die is Christ.

“Called Into Liberty Only” ( Galatians 5: 13, WYC ) by Carley Evans

King James Bible (Photo credit: freefotouk)

One of my all-time favorite movie titles is “LOST IN TRANSLATION” written and directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray and Scarlet Johannson. This title — and the film — say so much about communicating meaning from one language to another. Take Paul’s statement here in his letter to the Galatians:

“[Forsooth, brethren, ye be called into liberty only; give ye not liberty into occasion of flesh], but by charity of [the] Spirit serve ye together.”

The Wycliffe translation — as it often does — provides two different meanings of the same verse. The big difference is the location of the word “only.” In one version, “only” is placed after the semi-colon; in the one I’ve chosen to quote, the “only” is placed before the semi-colon, indicating that Christians are called to freedom only. We are not called to any sort of bondage! We are not in bondage to the law, nor are we to be in bondage to “the flesh.” Rather, we are called to liberty in Christ. In this freedom, we are called to “serve together” “by charity of the Spirit” according to Paul.

Look at the King James Version of the same verse:

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

Here the “only” is placed after the semi-colon, rendering it as emphasis not to use freedom “for an occasion to the flesh.” Additionally, the Spirit is missing completely from Paul’s statement. Rather than the power of God, love is emphasized. And instead of serving together, we are called to serve one another.

No wonder we sometimes get a little lost; a little defensive of our views; a little wary of a different viewpoint. Yet, God calls us to unity. He also calls us to love. And, He calls us to freedom.

“Be United” ( 1 Corinthians 1:10, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

Paul (Photo credit: Missional Volunteer)

Paul writes to the church at Corinth – and to us:

“Now I urge you, brothers, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.”

Obviously Paul is aware of differences of opinions among Christians; after all, he himself disagrees with Peter and does so openly in regards to following Jewish customs such as requiring circumcision and avoiding certain foods and celebrating special days and so on. The unity Paul urges Christians to have is a fundamental coming together under the headship of Christ. We are to have in common “the same understanding and the same conviction” when it comes to the Lord and our relationship with Him.

Unfortunately since Jesus ascended into heaven, divisions continue to blossom like  yellow weeds and then to spread like dead dandelions, splitting out into and carried by the wind.

The organized church is decadent and dysfunctional.

But what of the Church? What of the Body of Christ? Is the Church divided? What are the basic tenets of Christianity? And, do Christians — i.e. the Church — see eye to eye on these tenets? If so, then what are we fighting over? And, why? If not, then why not? Why is the Church incapable of having a common understanding and the same conviction regarding the Lord?

“In Christ, All Alive” ( 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

Resurrection of the dead. Stained glass, region of Paris, ca. 1200. From the Sainte-Chapelle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A monk tells me that all people everywhere eventually will be saved. I’ve read this view on the internet, on Facebook particularly. I’ve wondered about Paul’s statement that all things will be united under Christ, eventually. This is God’s purpose — yes? — to put all together under the authority of Christ.

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”

Does Paul really mean us to believe everyone everywhere will be saved? Will everyone be “made alive” through Christ just as everyone died “in Adam?” Many will answer with a resounding “no,” reminding that salvation comes with faith in and confession of Christ’s redemptive work. Others will hesitate, not knowing with certainty because God’s thoughts and His ways are so beyond us. Is God’s will crystal clear, or is it a mystery? Do we see everything or do we see through a glass darkly? Do we fully comprehend the depth of His love, or do we grope to find its end? Is there an end to His love? Or is He ultimately so perfect, we melt away in dust and ashes?

 

“According To The Scriptures” ( 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

La conversion de Saint Paul by Luca Giordano (1690), Museum of Fine Arts of Nancy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Paul tells the church at Corinth that which is of most importance — good news that he is given; not a story he conjures but news he receives from God Himself. The truth Paul is given, he passes on to others. He writes:

^“3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received:

that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures,
⁴ that He was buried,
that He was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures.”

This good news, says Paul, is “according to the Scriptures.” From before the beginning of the world, God devises His plan and reveals it over time through His Word. God gives this news to Paul on the road to Damascus and through experiences and further revelations. Every piece of information Paul receives, he verifies through the Scriptures.

The key, says Paul, to understanding this good news is to acknowledge Christ dies for our sins, is buried, and is raised again to life on the third day — all “according to the Scriptures.” Amen.

“He Has Made Us Accepted” ( Ephesians 1: 6, KJV ) by Carley Evans

Acceptance is the act of taking or receiving something offered; it is a favorable reception; approval; favor. Acceptance is the act of assenting or believing: the acceptance of a theory; and it is the fact or state of being accepted or acceptable.

Paul tells us God’s good pleasure is to accept us. God’s plan from before time is to show us His favor and give us His approval. In Christ, God is pleased to gather us together along with all things in heaven and on earth. And what is the mystery of His will? His good pleasure that He purposed in Himself! When? Before the foundation of the world! Why? To the praise of His glory!

Here in the first chapter of Paul’s letter to Ephesians is the ultimate picture of God’s love for us:

^“3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”

“A Different Gospel” ( 2 Corinthians 11:3-5, NIV 1984 ) by Carley Evans

Mormons (Photo credit: More Good Foundation)

Paul is distressed that the church at Corinth is deceived by “super-apostles” preaching “a Jesus other than the Jesus [I] preach” He is fearful that these Christians are believing “a different gospel from the one [they] accepted” and that they may even be receiving “a different spirit from the one [they] received.” These apostasies disturb Paul. He worries about the minds of the Corinthian Christians, who have a “sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” Here Paul writes:

³ But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴ For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. ⁵ But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”

He’s concerned that the church at Corinth is not concerned. Why aren’t they as distressed as he is at their confusion? Why can’t they see that they are “being led astray?” How is it they are deceived?

Two young men come to my door. I invite them to come back at another time. Because they are in suits and wearing name badges with Elder S0-and-so, I realize these young men at Mormons. If you don’t know what the Mormons believe, check out the 13 Articles of Faith. When they come back, the young men explain to me that Joseph Smith sincerely desired to know which church preached the true gospel. He was so distressed, he went out into the woods of New York to pray. As he prayed, a pillar of light appeared above him and two ‘men’ stood there. One said of the other, This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him. I gather Joseph decided to do just that. As a result, the Mormon faith came into existence.

Now I realize some of you reading this may be of the Mormon faith, but I say to you this is “a different gospel” which Paul warns against.

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:8)

The true gospel is simple. Nothing can be added to Christ’s redemptive work on the Cross. There Christ bore our sins in His body, and through His shed blood He made us clean, holy, righteous in the sight of God the Father. He offers this redemption as a free gift. We either accept the gift of salvation or leave it unopened, so to speak. If we open His gift, the Holy Spirit enters and lives in us so that over time we reflect Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world.

Yes, Jesus died for the ungodly. Paul reminds that rarely will someone die even for a good man, but Jesus died for us while we were His enemies. How much more will He save us!

“Standing Perfect In An Ambush” ( Ephesians 6:10-11, WYC ) by Carley Evans

Jesus does not promise we are not going to be ambushed by our adversary, who prowls about like a lion actively searching for one to devour. Instead, Jesus offers us “the might of His virtue” and “the armour of God” so we might “stand against the ambushings of the devil.” Paul puts it like this:

“Here afterward, brethren, be ye comforted in the Lord, and in the might of his virtue. Clothe you with the armour of God, that ye be able to stand against the ambushings [the ambushings, or assailings,] of the devil.”

Paul strongly advises:

^“13Therefore take ye the armour of God, that ye be able to against-stand in the evil day; and in all things stand perfect.

¹⁴ Therefore stand ye, and be girded about your loins in soothfastness [Therefore stand ye, girded about your loins in soothfastness], and clothed with the habergeon of rightwiseness,

¹⁵ and your feet shod in making ready of the gospel of peace.

¹⁶ In all things take ye the shield of faith, in which ye be able to quench all the fiery darts of him that is most wicked.

¹⁷ And take ye the helmet of health, and the sword of the Ghost, that is, the word of God.

¹⁸ By all prayer and beseeching pray ye all time in Spirit, and in him waking in all busyness, and beseeching for all holy men, [By all prayer and beseeching praying all time in Spirit, and in him waking in all busyness, and beseeching for all saints,]“

Paul says to “stand perfect” “in all things.” Jesus says, “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” How do you stand perfect? You stand perfect “in the might of His virtue” through faith, truth, righteousness, wisdom, the gospel of peace, the Word of God, prayer, and God’s own Holy Spirit indwelling.

“The God Of Hope” ( Romans 15:13, NIV ) by Carley Evans

(Photo credit: hickory hardscrabble)

Paul exhorts us to “overflow with hope” as God “fills [us] with all joy and peace” “by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Read it in Romans:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Trust in God, says Paul. Trust in the “power of the Holy Spirit.”

Look carefully at Paul’s exhortation. In describing the Christian life, he uses a wonderful selection of words: hope, joy, peace, trust, power.

“A Certain Naivete” ( 1 Corinthians 13: 6-7, KJV ) by Carley Evans

Charity, continues Paul is not thrilled with sin and falsity; rather charity rejoices in the Truth. Charity stands up under the weight of “all things.” Charity believes “all things;” charity hopes “all things;” charity endures “all things,” lasting forever. Paul writes to the church at Corinth that charity:

 ⁶Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

⁷Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

A certain naivete exists in the heart of the Christian — we must resist evil, but at the same time not let it embitter us. We must hope for the change that must come to all men and women and children if they are to put evil behind them. We must keep charity in our hearts for each of God’s creation. Jesus says:

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37, KJV)

The next time someone runs a red traffic light while I am making a left turn on my yellow light so that we nearly collide, I’m going to trust God’s judgment and leave my bitterness out of my naivete.