Praying For Pastors/Elders

Church, I am writing this article with my own self-interest in mind. I would like to encourage you to pray for me and all our pastors/elders at the church. This guidance for prayer arises from glorious encouragement given to pastors in Jeremiah 3:15-19. 

 

In Jeremiah 3:1-14 the prophet clarifies that Judah has been unfaithful toward and treacherous against God, following in the footsteps of her sister, the northern ten tribes of Israel. Yet, this tone changes with 3:15-19, where it is prophesied that in the future God will save a remnant and enable them to be faithful to Him and so will experience covenant blessings. 

 

It is in these four covenant blessings found in this passage we discover the joyous message for pastors that can guide us in praying for them.

 

1. God will give faithful pastors in the future. 15

In verse 17, the phrase, “at that time,” speaks of the time of the New Covenant (cf. 30:3; 31:1) that includes a work of God’s Spirit in the heart to transform His people more fully and powerfully, so they have more of an ability to please God (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:25-27). This is the very New Covenant Jesus ratified with his blood (Luke 22:20). We read in verse 15, “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”  

 

What Jeremiah is prophesying is that in the time of the New Covenant (the period we now are in) the empowerment that comes through the rich pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon us and His continual indwelling of us, leads to two outcomes that are different than what Judah experienced from her shepherds during the days of Jeremiah.

 

To start, these New Covenant shepherds (in other words, pastors) will be “after My own heart,” says God. This means that these pastors will want to please God (1 Samuel 13:14; Psalm 143:10) by following God’s will and seeking to carry out their ministry in a way that delights God. 

 

Under the New Covenant, Christians are empowered to serve God faithfully and fruitfully. This not only includes Christians at large, but Jeremiah singles pastors out in this prophecy. Does this mean that they will always do what is right, will be perfect, and always see wonderful outward success?  No. It does mean that God will supply every need of pastors (Phil. 4:19) to preach faithfully, to remain steadfast and patient when people oppose them (Gal. 5:22; 2 Thes. 3:5), and to find comfort when they face temptations to give up (2 Thes. 2:16-17). 

 

Note what else is promised in this verse: “And I will give you shepherds…who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”   The shepherds God promised to give will shepherd according to knowledge and so as to give knowledge about God through His Word and, with this knowledge, the insight as to how to live out the knowledge. This does not mean that pastors/elders can be passive in their preaching ministry and God will just fill them with His knowledge. As Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:7: “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” Pastors/elders must study and work to understand Scripture, but to do it all along the way relying upon the grace of God in Jesus Christ to understand and to help others apply Scriptural truth. 

 

I am so comforted and encouraged by this prophecy. God has promised centuries ago to empower His pastors in the New Testament Church to do everything to which He calls them. Additionally, He tells us elsewhere (Eph. 2:10) that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we (yes, also pastors!) should walk in them.” 

 

Pastors can preach the Word boldly, courageously, and by trust in our Lord! He is and ever will be our helper.

 

Though this promise does not mean there will always be large outward success, nevertheless God has promised that in this New Covenant era He will give success to the Church in carrying out the mission He has given to us. This should move pastors to pray, trust, and act boldly! Let’s look at this more closely in verses 16-17.

 

2. God will enable His Church to carry out His mission successfully. 16-17

In verse 16 we discover this startling promise: “And it shall be that when you have multiplied and have been fruitful in the land, in those days, according to the declaration of Yahweh, they shall no more say, ‘The ark of the covenant of Yahweh.’ It shall not come up upon the heart and it shall not be remembered in it and it shall not be visited/sought; it shall not be done again.” 

 

I say this is startling because what God is saying through Jeremiah is that in the New Covenant era (now!) God will enable His people to fulfill the Creation Mandate as it never has previously. That mandate in Gen. 1:27-28 includes these words: “So God created man in his own image…male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion…on the earth.’” In other words, God will enable His people through this New Covenant to fill the world with God worshipers as has never previously happened.

 

And notice that at that time, the “ark of the covenant of Yahweh” will be a thing of the past. Why?  Because the picture and lesson it provided under the Old Covenant is fulfilled in Jesus Christ (see John 1:14; 2:18-19; Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 8-10). There is nothing unclear here. These promises are for this New Covenant era.

 

Notice also the focus in v. 17, which is made by using Old Testament worship language and pictures, is on the nations coming to the true God: “At that time they will call Jerusalem the throne of Yahweh, and all nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of Yahweh, to Jerusalem, and they shall not any more walk after the stubbornness of their own evil heart.” Revelation 5:9-10 displays that this is fulfilled in the New Covenant era: “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’” Though the complete fulfillment of this will be seen in the future New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:1-8), the fulfillment has been largely started now. 

 

God, through Jeremiah, not only promises multitudes of people will come to the true God through Jesus Christ, He also promises that there will be significant ethical transformation in the people of God. We will see this in verse 18. 

 

3. God will unify His divided people. 

The way Jeremiah makes this point is as follows: “In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north upon the land that I gave as an inheritance to your fathers.” 

 

We may not feel the power of this until we remind ourselves that the nation of Israel was to be a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6), to draw the nations to worship the true God through witnessing the wise, law-keeping behavior of God’s people (Deuteronomy 4:6-8) who love one another (cf. Leviticus 19:17-18). Yet, they failed miserably, so much so that the nation divided into two sub-nations (cf. 1 Kings 11-12; 2 Chronicles 10). 

 

What Jeremiah describes here, then, is a supernatural work of God in His people that unites them in one Savior, as one people, who will finally display their true relationship to God by their love for one another and their unity (John 13:34-35; 17:20-21). 

 

How do we know that God will keep these promises?  Consider verse 19.

 

4. Our certainty is found in this: We are dealing with a covenant-faithful God! 

“And I myself said, ‘Oh how I would have set you among [My] children, and I would have given you a land of pleasant desire, an inheritance of glorious beauty [above] the hosts of nations.  And I said you would call me, My Father,  and would not turn from following me.”

 

God showed Himself faithful always to His people under the Old Covenant, even when they were not faithful to Him. He says to Judah, through Jeremiah here, that if they had trusted in Him and thus been faithful to Him, He would have blessed them as He promised He would. Yet, they broke covenant with God (Jeremiah 31:32). Once again, God shows that He will certainly be faithful to His people under the New Covenant, for that covenant will never be broken since it is ratified and kept by a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34; 2 Corinthians 1:20).

 

How, then, we should pray for pastors/elders.

1. These promises in Jeremiah 3:15-19 show how good God is, how much we can trust Him, and how much we ought to be willing to come to Him for His good gifts of the New Covenant. Pray that pastors/elders would have an experiential knowledge of this goodness of God.

 

2. Pray that pastor/elders never rely on self as they preach to and lead their people. What God has called them to is a ministry that He has equipped them to carry out and will continue to do so. After all, the same anointing of the Spirit to preach that Jesus had in His earthly ministry (Luke 4:18) is also what pastors have since they are united with Him (Romans 6:1-11; Ephesians 2:4-6).

 

3. Pray that as pastors/elders prepare to preach and to lead the church, they do so in the confidence that God has empowered them in Christ so they can not only see people trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, since they have been born again (1 John 5:1), pastors/elders can also see lives transformed by the Word preached (John 17:17; Rom. 1:16; 10:17; 16:25; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

 

4. Pray that as pastors/elders preach the Word, they do so by standing upon God’s promises, for He is a covenant-keeping, a promise-keeping God—through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). 

 

5. Pray that as pastors/elders approach each sermon, they expect God to change hearts and lives. 

 

Joyfully Shepherding You As You Pray!

 

Tom Barnes

 

 

Against Socialism And Communism, Part 2

In this post I cover the remaining eight biblical reasons to oppose Socialism and Communism and, at the same time to advocate for a biblical approach to government, work, and economics.

 

9. God’s design for government is for limited tasks, tasks that include preserving righteousness and justice, not to provide for needs of a person, nor to take from one person to give to another. Rom. 13:1-4

 

Related to #8 is this reason: God does not give to government the purpose of controlling production, distribution, work, problem solving, etc. He has ordained government to do just a few key tasks, according to Rom. 13:1-4: “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. …do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.” 

 

Socialism and Communism typically move in the direction of controlling their citizens so they conform to the purposes of the state and, as they do this, often turn upside down the stated purposes of the government. They often end up rewarding the law breaking and penalizing the law abiding. 

 

10. Creation of jobs and wealth. Prov. 16:26; 31:18

As businesses flourish, they tend to need more workers and both owners and workers are motivated to work and grow the business even more to provide for all employees. The result is not only providing goods and services, but also creating more wealth for people to flourish. God designed it to work this way to His glory (Gen. 1:26-28; Ps. 8). Just think of how the invention of the iPhone and its development over the past couple decades has created jobs and wealth, as well as opening up opportunities for all kinds of people throughout the world that they did not previously have.

 

Conversely, to disincentivize business owners and employees as Socialism and Communism tend toward, prohibits creating jobs and wealth. They also tend to disincentivize creativity and invention. 

 

11. It is a good and biblical goal to seek to have and preserve freedom for people to make decisions and to act in ways that they want, which is the heart of freedom. Exodus 20:3-7; 1 Sam. 16:7; Mat. 15:18-19; Philemon 14

True religion or faith emerges from the heart, includes believing and doing what a person truly wants to believe and do, and includes worship of the true God as revealed in Scripture. Though political freedom is not absolutely essential for such religion or faith, nevertheless, freedom brings a greater level of flourishing.  Since centralized governments (such as Socialism and Communism) tend toward the removal of freedom (they tend toward strong control), they oppose this good and biblical goal. 

 

12. We have no biblical examples of the approval of Socialism or Communism. Acts 2:45; 4:32-37; Acts 5:4

It has been common to point to the early Church in Acts 2:45 and 4:32-37 as examples of Socialism or Communism since many believers were selling land and other possessions to help those in need. However, Acts 5:4 makes it clear that all which was being given remained the property of the people who owned it before selling it and even once they sold it, they could determine how much of the earnings to give to those in need. This is not Socialism or Communism. Instead, it is an example of the kind of generosity or safety net that can take place when people have flourished enough to have resources for their own families (1 Tim. 5:8) and for those in need (Eph. 4:28). 

 

13. The biblical approach to government, work, economics, production, and distribution does not in any way encourage greed or envy, but the opposite (Acts 2:45; 4:32-37; 20:35; 2 Cor. 8-9; 1 Timothy 6:6-19: et. al.).

Conversely the history of Socialism and Communism have had a tendency to encourage envy and bitterness, that is, covetousness, over the lack of equal outcomes and resources. These theories, therefore, encourage the breaking of the tenth commandment (“You shall not covet….”). 

 

14. The New Testament, specifically 2 Thes. 3:6-10, prohibits one aspect of Socialism and Communism, that is, the reception of life’s provisions without it being tied to work. 

In verse six Paul addresses a problem that had been present in Thessalonica when Paul first visited there and when he wrote the first letter to them. Their conduct was disorderly, that is, it was idle, not given to work, and not ordered according to the Scriptural truth revealed to Paul and passed on to them:  “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you position yourself away from every brother who is walking in disorderliness and not in accord with the tradition which they received from us.” 

 

Notice that Paul writes in the name (authority) of Jesus Christ. Paul was convinced this was what Jesus Christ taught and demanded in regard to the provision of life’s necessities. Life’s provisions were typically to come through one’s work, even though in dire situations they could temporarily come through charity. This opposed what many freedmen in the Greco-Roman world believed at this time, that work was beneath them. Yet, this was not to be so with followers of Jesus Christ. Paul even went on to say in verse ten: “For also when we were with you, this we were repeatedly commanding you: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

 

What Paul writes here is consistent with what is learned in Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15; and Psalm 8, namely that humans, created in the image of God, reflect God through their work, which is part of their dignity, helps them flourish, and helps others flourish. 

 

15. Given what we just discovered in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, we see that Jesus Christ, though a proponent for generous charity for those who are in need (Mat. 25:31-46), is just as much a proponent for work as the best means of provision.

Put another way, Jesus advocates a typical means of provision that comes through work, not through a Socialist or Communist approach. 

 

16. Given the above 15 reasons, a sixteenth follows: Love demands Christians oppose Socialism and Communism, and advocate for a biblical approach to work, government, production, and distribution. 

Love for God and for others demands that followers of Jesus Christ not only generously provide resources that meet the very essential needs people face (Mat. 25:31-46; Rom. 12:20; Titus 3:14), it also demands that we help people flourish through work that long term provides for their needs, the needs of their family, and for those who are in urgent need. Simply-put, love demands Christians oppose Socialism and Communism, and advocate for a biblical approach to work, government, production, and distribution. 

 

Joyfully Advocating For Biblical Economics, Government, And Work,

 

Tom 

Against Socialism And Communism

Socialism and Communism are political and economic theories that advocate centralized, government-focused ownership, control, and distribution of goods, services, and property among a nation or people. Both of them shift production, provision, distribution, and problem solving for issues a nation or people face away from individuals to political entities. More specifically, we can define them this way:  Socialism is “a political and economic theory advocating collective ownership of the means of production and control of distribution.” Communism is a political and economic theory advocating for “the ownership of property, or means of production, distribution and supply by the whole of a classless society with wealth shared on the principle of ‘to each according to his need,’ each yielding fully ‘according to his ability.’”[1]

 

There has been much attention given to Socialism in our country recently (and by implication, Communism). I get the sense that many Christians have no idea why most Christians have historically opposed these two theories and why we should continue to oppose them. 

 

Of course, how Christians have viewed things in history should be considered, but never serves as our ultimate authority. So, in what follows I provide sixteen reasons from Scripture why we should oppose Socialism and Communism and, at the same time, sixteen reasons to advocate for a biblical approach to government, work, and economics. 

 

1. God created us to work so we, others, and the world can flourish. Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 8:5-6.

The original mission that God gave to humans, as seen in Genesis 1:26-28, was to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth with God worshipers and, at the same time, to help all the world flourish through our life, work, and giving people-benefiting order to all. This mission is part of the way we glorify God (Psalm 8) and it includes work (Genesis 2:15). In other words, God created humans in His image to work. Work is not a result of sin, though it is made harder by sin. 

 

As we will see in what follows, this foundational truth stands underneath how God typically provides for humans (through work) and the reality God gives different talents to different people, so that these can be used toward this mission of helping the world and people flourish. 

 

2. God created us to create, to solve problems, and this in diverse ways, based upon gifts, talents, and God’s providence. 

This reason follows from the first one. It also seems to be supported by the fact God gives different gifts and talents to different people. This is true in the church (1 Cor. 12) but also outside the church. After all, wisdom (including skill) and might belong to Him, as well as the removal and setting up of kings (Daniel 2:20-21), something about which the Bible gives examples (Exodus 31:3; 1 Kings 5:8-9). When we remove production, problem-solving, and distribution from those who have been blessed by God with abilities for these kinds of things and place them in the hands of those not qualified and/or not in a position to make the best decisions (e.g. a centralized entity), this not only goes against God’s design, but ends up hurting people.  

 

3. God’s design is usually to provide through work. Gen. 2:15; Psalm 8; Prov. 6:10-11; 2 Thes. 3:10

Scripture is consistent throughout that God’s typical design is to provide for needs through work. This images and glorifies God (Gen. 1:26-28; Psalm 8). What this means is that the most productive way we can meet the needs of people is to advocate for biblical principles that stand underneath the best way government, production, work, and distribution can be done. 

 

4. God’s design is that work provides for family, the poor, and the recipients of goods and services. Prov. 31:10-31; Eph. 4:28

Similarly to reason three, we can say that work does not just provide for a person’s needs, it provides for their family’s needs (Prov. 31:10-31; 1 Tim. 5:8) and it provides resources for workers to help those in need (Ruth 2; Eph. 4:28). This means that any approach to government, economics, and work that hurts the creation of wealth and jobs, in other words, that tends to hurt businesses (historically Socialism and Communism), will eventually diminish or do away with resources to provide for family and to help those in need.  

 

5. God’s design is to use a person’s appetite, their needs, to motivate them toward provision and flourishing. Prov. 16:26.

In other words, the need to put food on your own table and that of your family’s table, as well as to provide for all the other needs your family has and the families who work for you (if you are a business owner), motivates you to grow business, create jobs, and create wealth. Socialism and Communism have consistently hurt this motivation. After all, if the person who does not work, the person who works but not hard, the person who works hard, and the person who is in a position to create jobs for others all make the same, the motivation to do better is taken away, wealth is not created, jobs are not created, and those hurt the worst are those who have the least means. 

 

6. Because #5 is true, it is imperative that the governmental approach of a nation or people not destroy the safety net. 

In other words, though Socialism and Communism claim to be compassionate toward the poor, they hurt the very people they claim to help and in part it is because they are going upstream, against the grain of how God designed humans to work (see again Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; Ps. 8). 

 

7. God’s design is for business and its wealth to bless and help others flourish. (Prov. 31:13-21)

Proverbs 31:18, speaking of the excellent or noble woman, says that, “She sees that her profit is good.” Why? In context it provides goods and services for others, it provides for her family, and it gives her resources to help the poor. God has designed it this way so that His people especially can be fruitful, multiply, fill the world with God worshipers, and help others flourish through their love, service, and yes their vocation. A centralized approach to work, production, distribution, and problem-solving opposes this design. 

 

8. God’s will is not for what belongs to a person be taken from them against their will, including inordinate taxation. (Exodus 20:15)

Given what we have said so far about God’s design for humans, created in His image that they might glorify Him, helps us not to be surprised at the eighth commandment: “You shall not steal.” After all, if God allowed all (or even some) that the woman of Proverbs 31 owned, this would also disincentivize this woman from family providing, poor-helping, business that also helps others flourish through her business.

 

This also applies to the government taking an inordinate amount of money and resources of people and disincentivizing people from going into or growing their businesses. This will hurt all involved. Though Scripture is clear that taxes are appropriate for the tasks government has been given (Rom. 13:6), a system that works to keep taxes minimal best serves the citizenry. 

 

9. God’s design for government is for limited tasks, tasks that include preserving righteousness and justice, not to provide for needs of a person, nor to take from one person to give to another. Rom. 13:1-4

 

Related to #8 is this reason: God does not give to government the purpose of controlling production, distribution, work, problem solving, etc. He has ordained government to do just a few key tasks, according to Rom. 13:1-4: “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. …do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.” 

 

Socialism and Communism typically move in the direction of controlling their citizens so they conform to the purposes of the state and, as they do this, often turn upside down the stated purposes of the government. They often end up rewarding the law breaking and penalizing the law abiding. 

 

10. Creation of jobs and wealth. Prov. 16:26; 31:18

As businesses flourish, they tend to need more workers and both owners and workers are motivated to work and grow the business even more to provide for all employees. The result is not only providing goods and services, but also creating more wealth for people to flourish. God designed it to work this way to His glory (Gen. 1:26-28; Ps. 8). Just think of how the invention of the iPhone and its development over the past couple decades has created jobs and wealth, as well as opening up opportunities for all kinds of people throughout the world that they did not previously have. 

 

Conversely, to disincentivize business owners and employees as Socialism and Communism tend toward, prohibits creating jobs and wealth. They also tend to disincentivize creativity and invention. 

 

11. It is a good and biblical goal to seek to have and preserve freedom for people to make decisions and to act in ways that they want, which is the heart of freedom. Exodus 20:3-7; 1 Sam. 16:7; Mat. 15:18-19; Philemon 14

True religion or faith emerges from the heart, includes believing and doing what a person truly wants to believe and do, and includes worship of the true God as revealed in Scripture. Though political freedom is not absolutely essential for such religion or faith, nevertheless, freedom brings a greater level of flourishing.  Since centralized governments (such as Socialism and Communism) tend toward the removal of freedom (they tend toward strong control), they oppose this good and biblical goal. 

 

12. We have no biblical examples of the approval of Socialism or Communism. Acts 2:45; 4:32-37; Acts 5:4

It has been common to point to the early Church in Acts 2:45 and 4:32-37 as examples of Socialism or Communism since many believers were selling land and other possessions to help those in need. However, Acts 5:4 makes it clear that all which was being given remained the property of the people who owned it before selling it and even once they sold it, they could determine how much of the earning to give to those in need. This is not Socialism or Communism. Instead, it is an example of the kind of generosity or safety net that can take place when people have flourished enough to have resources for their own families (1 Tim. 5:8) and for those in need (Eph. 4:28). 

 

13. The biblical approach to government, work, economics, production, and distribution does not in any way encourage greed or envy, but the opposite (Acts 2:45; 4:32-37; 20:35; 2 Cor. 8-9; 1 Timothy 6:6-19: et. al.).

Conversely the history of Socialism and Communism have had a tendency to encourage envy and bitterness over the lack of equal outcomes and resources.

 

14. The New Testament, specifically 2 Thes. 3:6-10, prohibits one aspect of Socialism and Communism, that is, the reception of life’s provisions without it being tied to work. 

In verse six Paul addresses a problem that had been present in Thessalonica when Paul first visited there and when he wrote the first letter to them. Their conduct was disorderly, that is, it was idle, not given to work, and not ordered according to the Scriptural truth revealed to Paul and passed on to them:  “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you position yourself away from every brother who is walking in disorderliness and not in accord with the tradition which they received from us.” 

 

Notice that Paul writes in the name (authority) of Jesus Christ. Paul was convinced this was what Jesus Christ taught and demanded in regard to the provision of life’s necessities. Life’s provisions were typically to come through one’s work, even though in dire situations they could temporarily come through charity. This opposed what many freedmen in the Greco-Roman world believed at this time, that work was beneath them. Yet, this was not to be so with followers of Jesus Christ. Paul even went on to say in verse ten: “For also when we were with you, this we were repeatedly commanding you: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

 

What Paul writes here is consistent with what is learned in Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15; and Psalm 8, namely that humans, created in the image of God, reflect God through their work, which is part of their dignity, helps them flourish, and helps others flourish. 

 

15. Given what we just discovered in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, we see that Jesus Christ, though a proponent for generous charity for those who are in need (Mat. 25:31-46), is just as much a proponent for work as the best means of provision.

Put another way, Jesus advocates a typical means of provision that comes through work, not through a Socialist or Communist approach. 

 

16. Given the above 15 reasons, a sixteenth follows: Love demands Christians oppose Socialism and Communism, and advocate for a biblical approach to work, government, production, and distribution. 

Love for God and for others demands that followers of Jesus Christ not only generously provide resources that meet the very essential needs people face (Mat. 25:31-46; Rom. 12:20; Titus 3:14), it also demands that we help people flourish through work that long term provides for their needs, the needs of their family, and for those who are in urgent need. Simply-put, love demands Christians oppose Socialism and Communism, and advocate for a biblical approach to work, government, production, and distribution. 

 

 

---

[1] Both of these definitions are taken from The New Lexicon Webster’s Dictionary Of The English Language (New York: Lexicon Publications, 1989). 

Modesty For The Joy Of Others To God's Glory

How people view the world not only impacts beliefs and behaviors, it also shapes the use of words.  This is why sometimes when I am looking for a definition, it is helpful to step outside our own slice of history and culture to read what Noah Webster wrote in his 1828 dictionary.  Listen to what this Christian scholar said about modesty:

Modesty, as an act or series of acts, consists in humble, unobtrusive deportment, as opposed to extreme boldness, forwardness, arrogance, presumption, audacity or impudence…. In females, modesty has the like character as in males; but the word is used also as synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of mind…. Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.

 

Yes, I know that Webster used terms which we rarely hear.  “Deportment” has to do with how one carries themselves, how they behave, and it includes clothing.  So, what he is saying, in part, is that modesty is not putting your body on display in a bold way which says, “Look at me” and which lacks a pure (or holy) manner of conduct.  In other words, it speaks of not showing or advertising one’s body in such a way that would be inconsistent with God-honoring and people-benefiting ways.

 

Modesty is a timely subject for us since we just finished a sermon series on Genesis 1-3, which dealt with the shame of Adam and Eve over their nakedness. It is a good time to think about what modesty is and why it is important. What I would like to do, then, is offer, from a Christian man’s perspective, why women should exercise modesty in how they dress and how they behave around men.

 

1. In 2000 Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker wrote a book about men’s battle with sexual lust entitled Everyman’s Battle (Waterbrook Press).  Never was there a book more appropriately titled!  Sexual lust is the battle of every man since it comes without the need to be in close relationship with a woman.  It can come by walking down the street, passing a store display, driving past a billboard, or having a woman walk into a room.  Understand, for men, it comes usually by sight.  God made both men and women sexual beings with desires (Gen. 1:28; 2:18, 24; 4:1; 1 Cor. 7:1-5) and in men these desires are aroused strongly by sight (e.g. Proverbs 5:3a, 19; 6:25; 7:10; Song of Solomon 7:6-7).  This is one of the reasons that three whole chapters in the Proverbs (ch’s. 5-7) are given to warning men against giving into such lusts.  The temptations are a possibility not only when a beautiful woman is present, but especially when a woman is dressed and/or behaves immodestly.  This is how the seducing woman operates in those three chapters.  She first lures with her appearance, then she seduces with her motions and words, and finally she captures with touch and embrace.  So, sight is the place we must start.  Women, please understand that you may not understand how your appearance can be so powerful to a man, but trust me, this is the case!

 

2. Women, you have an obligation to men to dress modestly since you know and follow Jesus Christ.  I wish I could convince non-Christian women to dress more modestly since we men will see them as well.  It would make things a lot easier.  However, I have little hope that this kind of conversation would impact them (1 Cor. 5:11-12).  After all, without the Spirit of God, there is no ability to understand fully the truths of God’s Word or to see their importance (1 Cor. 2:14).  Yet, Christian women, you have the Holy Spirit who is changing your life and empowering you with all you need to live a godly, Christ-like life (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:3-4).  As such, you should hear and pay attention to what the Bible says about modesty.  Not only does it tell you point-blank that you are to adorn yourself with modesty (1 Timothy 2:9), it also explains the loving rationale behind it.  Listen to what Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8:

 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;  [4] that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,  [5] not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;  [6] that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.  [7] For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.  [8] Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 

 

Could the Bible say it more clearly? God’s will is for us to refrain from sexual sin, that we would be disciplined in our bodies toward this end, that we understand sexually loose behavior is not consistent with Christian behavior, and that when we ignore this principle and commit sexual sin with or toward a fellow Christian, we wrong our brother in this matter.  This is the opposite of loving our fellow believers which is one of the chief marks of a Christian (Matthew 7:12; John 13:34-35; Romans 13:8-10).  Hear what Paul is saying.  If we engage in behavior or dress which causes our brother to sin, we hurt his walk with Christ and we are disregarding God who placed His Spirit in us to change us!  This was all important enough to God that the Father sent the Son to die for us that we might be redeemed and made a people zealous for holy good works (Titus 2:14), which include our dress and how we relate to fellow believers.

 

Women, please ask yourself this question, “Would you place a pornographic picture in front of a Christian man?”  Of course you would not!  You know that would be wrong, it would not be constructive; it may very well cause him to sin.  In the same way, then, do not place your body seductively in front of men.  IT WILL END IN THE SAME RESULT!

 

Since I am a man, I cannot understand the pull that is in you as a woman to be beautiful and to put on display your body (just as you cannot fully understand how sight so impacts men).  Yet, I know that such a pull is within you.  I believe, in its purest form, it is a desire that is God-given and meant for your husband alone.  Yet, in no less a way that men must fight the temptation to look at women, women’s body parts, or pictures of women with lust (all of which are sinful twistings of God-given desires), so also women must fight the battle not to cause their fellow Christian men to struggle by seductively putting themselves on display. 

 

Let me briefly say that you also should be motivated not to put yourself on display before non-Christian men.  You may be one of the pieces in a puzzle of addiction that builds up in their lives which eventually destroys a marriage—or even keeps them from Christ (e.g. Matthew 13:19, 22).

 

3. Sisters in Christ, your desire should be to live and relate such that other believers (including males) will be built up in Christ (1 Thes. 5:11) and for their joy in Christ (2 Cor. 1:24; 2:3).  When you dress immodestly this only tears down and causes sorrow.  It causes sorrow if you get involved in a relationship with someone who responds to your sexual advertisement (this does not draw in the kind of man you truly want for life); it causes sorrow to a man who uses you as an object of his lust--driving a wedge between him and his wife; and it causes sorrow in countless other ways.  This is part of what Proverbs 5-7 drives home over and over again.  The promise of short-turn pleasure leads to long-term loss and heartache!

 

4. Finally and most importantly, sisters in Christ, dress modestly for God’s glory.  In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Paul reminds us that we have been united to Christ (and thus do not want to unite ourselves in an illicit relationship since we are also in Him and He in us); that we have been given a body for the purpose of the Lord (to serve and love Him); that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit of God; and also that we have been bought with the price of the death of the Son of God (that we might live a holy life).  Paul’s concluding challenge arising from all of this is:  “So glorify God in your body”  (6:20).  I take all this to mean what given what God has done for us and given the resources He has given, we all should put God on display, we should magnify His grace and wisdom in us through the most concrete aspect of our being—the proverbial   “where the rubber meets the road”—our body.  Let me ask you this, ladies.  When you dress seductively and advertise your body to men other than your husband, do you believe this puts God’s grace, His love, His holiness on display?  Does it magnify and honor Your Savior who purchased you with the blood of His own (Acts 20:28)?  I believe the answer is self-evident.

 

Women, I will not venture to describe for you in detail what modest dress is. I am sure that there are women in your church who can help with that.  What I do believe, though, is that if you think and pray carefully through these four reasons for modesty, they will go a long way toward helping you not only identify what is godly, Christ-honoring apparel, but they will also keep before you the importance of your modesty.  At least that is my prayer for you and for us men as we spend time around you.

 

Pursuing Holiness With You As A Joyful Pastor,

 

Tom

 

 

Learn To Avoid Ugly Distance In Marriage

 

The Bible teacher and author, Paul Tripp, once wrote to married couples: “No one gets to be married to the perfect spouse.” This includes you and your spouse. You are married to a sinner and so is your spouse. This means you will be disappointed, let down, hurt, and sinned against by them, but the same is true of them. Such experiences often lead to great distance between spouses. Yet, if all couples experience this, why do some end up with ugly distance between each other—sometimes separation and divorce—and some work through the sin against each other. How do couples work through this effectively?   

 

In this last article in our marriage series, we will look at four lessons that will not only prevent ugly distance but will draw us closer together. 

 

1. Learn A Realistic View Of Your Marriage.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:31 the following, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” Why does Paul have to write this?  Because even Christians still have a sin nature and hurt each other. This naturally leads to bitterness, anger, and saying hurtful things to each other, which multiplies the bitterness, anger, and the hurtful words. If not checked, this will destroy a marriage. 

 

If we think that such things can’t happen in our marriage, we have taken the first step toward such ugly distance. 

 

How do we follow Ephesians 4:31? Paul makes it clear in this letter. It is because of Gods’ gracious work in us through the saving work of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:4-7:2:8-9), which enables us to live like a new person (Eph. 2:10; 4:24) as we are strengthened in the Lord Jesus Christ and the power that comes from His might (Eph. 6:10). 

 

This leads to our second lesson.

 

2. Learn To Be Content in God. 

In Philippians 4:11 Paul wrote of himself: “…I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.” The Puritan pastor, Jeremiah Burroghs, in his book, The Rare  Jewel Of Christian Contentment, wrote that contentment, according to Scripture, is: “The sweet, inward, quiet, gracious way of thinking and behaving that gladly submits to and freely delights in God’s wise and fatherly way of doing things in every circumstance.” In other words, the content Christian realizes that even when people sin and do things they should not have done, nevertheless, God is still in control and working all things together for our good. God brought together you and your spouse. He gave each of you to each other. He wants you to glorify Him by how you love each other and display a picture of Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:32). How your spouse treats you will not decide your well-being or lack thereof. God wants you to trust in Him, be content in Him, and love your spouse as Christ has loved you and given Himself for you—even though you deserve the opposite (Eph. 5:1-2). 

 

Chrisian contentment is so essential for you to love your spouse in spite of sin and pain against you. 

 

Such contentment leads to the next lesson.

 

3. Learn To Forgive.

In Ephesians 4:32 Paul writes: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” In other words, God’s forgiveness of us should lead to our forgiveness of others. After all, as we read in Matthew 18:23-35, what we must forgive our spouse for is nothing compared to how much God forgave of us. Additionally, God’s forgiveness of us leads to such a transformation in the lives of the truly saved, that not to forgive calls into question whether or not one is truly saved. 

 

Learn to forgive your spouse flowing out of your transformation by and your union with Christ as a new person. 

 

These first three lessons are so essential to prevent ugly distance between you. Yet, they all flow out of the fourth lesson. 

 

4. Learn To Put Your Spouse Ahead Of You.

In Philippians 2:3-4 Paul writes: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” The apostle goes on to say living like this is living like Jesus who put our need of salvation ahead of His own well-being. He humbled Himself, took on flesh, suffered and died for His bride. When we trust in the Father’s care for us, are content in Him, realize He wants us to love our spouse in such a way we put them in front of self, we then realize, as a result, we can and should forgive our spouse and love them even when we are hurt and disappointed. 

 

In this closest of all relationships, may Christ give you the grace to be strengthened and in Him to love as He commands and as your marriage needs. 

 

Praying For You And Your Marriage As Your Joyful Pastor,

 

Tom

 

Wives, Win Your Husbands By Your Actions

Since wives are not called by God to be the leader in a marriage, women often want to know how they can influence their husbands to come to faith in Jesus Christ or, if they are a Christian and not leading, how they can influence them to step up to the plate. 

For women asking that question, it is good news that Peter gives an answer in 1 Peter 3:1-7. Here is the answer Peter gave:

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

 

Peter tells each wife who hopes for change in her husband the following.

 

First, when husbands (to whose Christ-like, loving leadership wives are to submit, vv. 1, 7) do not obey the Word of God and wives want this to change, Peter teaches they are to win them with their conduct, rather than trying to talk them into changing. The reasoning behind this is twofold. On one hand, since God created marriage to function best when wives respect their husband (Eph. 5:33), it usually does not work for a wife to attempt to push her husband into change, thinking that the more you talk to him and the louder you talk will bring about the greatest results. Instead, show him in your love for him and your family and how you walk with Jesus, the powerful way God can change a person. On the other hand, as Peter emphasizes later in this letter, people change through prayer. So, pray for your husband and win him with your prayerful, godly, Christlike conduct.

 

Next, do not think that all you need to do is to look pretty outwardly (v. 4). Instead, as you show your husband godly conduct, show him what it looks like to trust in Jesus Christ with a gentle and quiet attitude (inward beauty), rather than a combative demeanor (v. 4). After all, any wife can be combative. Only one powerfully transformed by Christ can be serene and at peace in less-than-ideal (and maybe even very difficult) circumstances. 

 

Additionally, stop listening to all the voices outside the Church and outside Scripture who tell you what you need to do so you can change your circumstances. Most will tell you, “Stand up for yourself!” Or, “You have to do what is best for you!” Yet, what Peter writes here about how wives influence their husbands is what “in God’s sight is very precious.” Never forget that our all-powerful, sufficient Savior , Jesus Christ, working through His sufficient Word, can change a heart and create a believing and leading husband out of one who has been silent and passive. 

 

Finally, follow the example of and learn from godly women in Scripture, throughout history, and even around you in your church, to see not only how to win your husband by your conduct, but also to strengthen your faith that God can work in His way to change your husband (vv. 5-6). 

 

Wife, remember that much of the Christian life is counterintuitive: Stop working to save yourself and believe on Him instead (Eph. 2:8-10), the way to exaltation is to humble yourself (1 Peter 5:6), and the best way to love a spouse is to love them less…that is, less than Jesus (Luke 14:26; Eph. 5:1-2, 21-33). We can add to this: if you want your husband to trust Jesus and to obey Him in the leadership of your marriage and family, stop trying to force or talk him into it. Instead, talk to God about him and win him as you live out your faith.

 

Living Out Our Faith With You As Your Joyful Pastor,

 

Tom

 

Single Adult, Seek God's Will

 Single adult, one of the most important things God would have you do when it comes to marriage is to pay attention to what He teaches you through and about marriage. This includes seeking God’s will when it comes to whether or not you will marry. Here are a number of things to remember.

 

1. Marriage And Our Happiness.

Though all the things we have shared in our sermons on marriage from Genesis 2:18-25 show how important marriage is in God’s plan and His mission for us, nevertheless marriage is not essential for true happiness. After all, we will not be married in our future eternal joy in God’s presence in the age to come (Luke 20:34-35). 

 

Likewise, we must guard against making marriage and/or a spouse or family a god (1 John 5:21). We must also guard against seeing our ultimate identity as defined by whether or not we are married (Rom. 6:1-23; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:10-17). 

 

It is essential to learn to be content in God (1 Cor. 7:17-38; Phil. 4:10-13), even though you might still desire marriage and seek marriage. Paul makes it clear that the most important thing is not being married or not, even though it might be best for one to pursue marriage (cf. 1 Cor. 7:2, 17-38). 

 

2. Marriage And Relationships.

Though God can take care of a lone Christian by him/herself through a special dispensation, in the event of imprisonment, solitary confinement, etc. (e.g. John on the island of Patmos [Rev. 1]), typically it should be remembered from the Bible’s teaching on marriage that community (we need others and they need us (1 Cor. 12) is essential for flourishing and for living out our walk with Christ (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18; Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:9-14; Heb. 3:12-13; 10:24-25). 

 

3. Marriage And Your Church.

For any person who is not married (whether they want to be married or not), the family of God can provide missing familial community—even though this may not fully take away the longing or difficulty, esp. for the person who strongly desires to be married (Mk. 10:30; Lk. 8:19-21). So, seek to be part of a Bible Fellowship and/or an Iron Man/Woman team. 

 

4. Marriage And What You Do Now.

How does a single person know whether or not they should get married and what should they do while single? Follow these bits of wisdom: 

a. Remain faithful and pure while single, knowing that the Lord will help you do this and give you all you need for this (1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Peter 1:3-4f.). This, after all, is His will (Ex. 20:14; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 1 Thes. 4:4). 

 

b. Seek God’s wisdom as to whether or not you should get married. (1 Cor. 7:17-38; Col. 1:9)

 

c. Pray and ask Him for a spouse, if you believe this is the best path for you. (Phil. 4:6, 19)

 

d. Take steps to be around and/or to have connection to those out of whom a godly spouse may emerge (Phil. 2:12-13). 

 

e. Trust God’s providence as your life situation unfolds. (Dt. 29:29; Rom. 8:28)

 

f. Remember that both married people and singles have important roles to play in the church,  displaying the truths of the gospel (1 Cor. 7:17-38; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Eph. 5:32). 

 

g. If you pursue marriage and as you pursue marriage, remember that it is to be “only in the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:39 [see also 2 Cor. 6:14]). Seek accountability within the body of Christ that you will not compromise in this (Heb. 3:12-13; 10:24-25). What this means is that as you take steps to be around or be connected to those out of whom a spouse may emerge, this should be only followers of Christ.

 

As you seek to apply the above biblical principles and wisdom, rememeber that as a Christian you can be assured that God is orchestrating all things together for your good, including singleness, getting married, staying single, and/or waiting for a spouse (Rom. 8:28).  

 

Seeking God’s Will With You As Your Joyful Pastor,

 

Tom