Preface
Before I dive into Scripture and contrast God’s simple ways with our common form of “Christianity”, a certain foundation must be laid first, allowing the soil of your heart and mind to be tilled and worked.
I dare not say that your heart is hardened towards the Lord or His ways, or that you are hard-headed, but even the best of soil must first be prepared if it is to receive the seed.
The following concepts are shared with the purpose to prepare your heart and mind to receive the seeds that will follow, so that you will welcome the instruction and obey the simple ways of God.
The Purpose of the Word of God
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
When heading into any serious study of Scripture, these verses are most useful to remember. In 2 Timothy 3:16, we are given four purposes for Scripture:
Doctrine
Reproof
Correction
Instruction in righteousness
Many will search the Bible for doctrine (teaching) and for instruction in righteousness, but too often the other two reasons are overlooked, especially as one spends more and more time in the faith.
Half of the purposes listed for the Word of God are reproof and correction.
If one needs to be reproved or corrected, then one must first be wrong.
Based upon 2 Timothy 3:16, if we are not open to the possibility of being wrong, then our Bibles will only be half as useful to us.
Could we really be wrong? Simply put, everyone is wrong.
Every believer, teacher, preacher, pastor, church, and denomination is wrong; certainly not on everything, but definitely on at least something.
No one understands the whole of Scripture and reality perfectly, so we are all wrong about something, and oftentimes several things.
This should not be a foreign concept. Depending on when we were born again, we may have spent most of our lives being completely wrong about everything that is important.
Since such is the case, are we now exempt from error since we have become believers?
Not at all! Just examine who this passage is aimed at. 2 Timothy 3:17 clearly directs this passage to “the man of God”. Are you a man (or woman) of God? You need not be a pastor, preacher, elder, or deacon to be a man of God, a brother will suffice. Howsoever, those particular men or “ministers” referred to above must take heed to this passage as well.
If the Lord aims to correct us on a certain issue, we must not be beyond correction. If we are not willing to entertain the idea that we might have misunderstood or are ignorant about some Biblical truth or teaching, then we will never comprehend that truth or receive that instruction. Understanding this matter is a crucial part of “entry level” Bible study. Simply put, we may be wrong, and if we are, God can show us where we are wrong if we let Him.
God’s Thoughts & Ways
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-9)
The reason that we periodically (or frequently) happen to be wrong is simple; God’s thoughts and ways are not our ways.
This means that there are times when what God says or commands will seem extremely foreign to us. The distorted logic and ways of the carnal man are in direct opposition to God’s holy, pure way. God’s way is right, and it is life. Man’s way is in error, and it is death.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25)
We truly do not have it right on our own. In fact, no matter how wise a man can become, he can still not attain to the most foolish that God could be.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:25)
There is indeed a gap between man and God when it comes to understanding. Man, in his fallen, sinful state, has no definite absolute standard by which to determine things accurately, whether it pertains to truth or to sin.
These, then, must be revealed from above, and that is the purpose of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is here to fill in the gap between our own mental efforts and the truth of God. Since even the most foolish that God can appear is still much higher than mankind at his wisest, we are at a disadvantage in our flesh.
If we trust our reasoning and logic, the Bible may seem much too foolish and unreasonable to take at face value. Therefore, however wrong it may appear to us, we must trust what God commands. However exalted or educated a man may be, he still cannot even come close to the foolishness of God, much less God’s wisdom. The following sums up this truth well.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:8-9)
However irrational God’s ways appear to us, we must be willing to trust and obey.
He has told us ahead of time that it would not be the way that seems right to us. It is this great distance between God’s ways and our ways that will make the bulk of this book seem too incredibly peculiar to be accurate, but I believe that these things are exactly what Scripture teaches.
Nimrod, Naaman, or Religious Hypocrites?
There appear to be four main attitudes, or mental strongholds, which lead to the rejection of God’s ways.
If we base them upon Biblical human examples, I would personify them with Nimrod, Naaman (who demonstrates two different attitudes), and the religious hypocrites.
At one time or another, every person has most likely fallen into all four of these categories, but as followers of the Lord, our goal must be to forsake all of these attitudes, since all prevent obedience to the Lord.
Nimrod
Nimrod is best known as the ringleader in the Tower of Babel exploit. In many ways the “spirit of Nimrod” is the spirit of this world, laboring in a vain attempt to fight against the Creator and His ways. Though Jesus once charged the Pharisees with the following, it could just as easily have been applied to Nimrod.
You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. (John 8:44a)
The name of Nimrod itself means “Let us rebel!” Since the “spirit of Nimrod” intentionally raises itself up against Father God, hopefully this attitude is the least likely to influence Christians.
God clearly told mankind after the flood, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 9:1b). Though this command was specifically given unto Noah and his sons, we must remember that those four were the heads of the only households upon the entire planet. Just as Adam was the sole representative of the human race at the time of creation, so Noah and his sons represented all of mankind after the flood. The word “replenish” in this command means to “fill”. God’s command for mankind was to fill the entire earth. Those who joined in with Nimrod in the land of Shinar had a different idea.
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:4)
These rebels had one goal in mind, to make a name for themselves. Why?
Lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Their attempted city and tower was specifically designed with the clear purpose of rebellion and disobedience.
Because of the severe opposition to obeying God that “Nimrods” display, we should not often be able to find them within the gatherings of the saints; nonetheless, the end results of our own actions far too often seem to be the same as that of Nimrod. Indeed the goal may be different, but I believe that the outcome is the same. Much of this volume will demonstrate how often we, who profess the name of Jesus, choose to do the polar opposite of that which God has planned, purposed, and commanded.
As you begin to read, be sensitive to this matter. Whatever the intent, if it leads away from obedience to our Lord and Savior, it is a path that none should choose.
Naaman
Naaman displays two different unfortunate, but common, attitudes that lead to disobeying God. Both “spirits of Naaman” plague Christianity these days. Again, such dare not be the goal, but all too often we behave like Naaman, and draw the same conclusion that he did. Naaman, just like we all do, wound up in a situation that he could not get out of on his own.
Though we may not be lepers as Naaman was, we often find ourselves in many situations that we greatly desire deliverance from, and find no earthly remedy or solution. In Naaman’s case, just as in ours, detailed obedience to exactly what the Lord says is required. No other options exist. In Naaman’s case, God had a simple way to deliver him.
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. (2 Kings 5:10)
The command itself was simple enough. Wash in the Jordan River seven times and your incurable disease will be forever cured. What was the problem then?
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. (2 Kings 5:11)
The problem was that God had not chosen the way that Naaman thought he would. Indeed, God could have chosen anything to cure this man, but He chose the prescribed manner. This greatly enraged the leper Naaman so that he went away. It is interesting to note that in the cure that Naaman hoped for, nothing was required on Naaman’s part. The man of God, Elisha, and God Himself were expected to do all the work, so Naaman could receive the blessing.
I thought, He will surely come out to me… and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place.
This lazy, unmotivated, entitled attitude of Naaman’s certainly runs rampant in the earth these days and in the Church as well. There are things that God commands us to do; these require action on our part. There is no escaping that.
*** Also, just as God had no obligation to heal Naaman, He has no obligation to deliver us either.
All that we deserve is the wrath of God, and that alone is what we are entitled to. Even though He has chosen to redeem and forgive us, to receive more of His blessings here will require us to be more obedient. If we are lazy and will not do what He has commanded, then we cannot receive that reward that would come from obeying Him. Naaman continues, though, and displays another regrettable attitude.
Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. (2 Kings 5:12)
Here we see the wisdom of man attempt to fight and resist the “foolishness” of God. As always, though, God’s foolishness is more effective than the wisdom of man. Naaman is willing at this point to consider washing in a river, instead of just standing there and making God and Elisha do all of the work. However, he evaluates things from a human perspective, which is not God’s way. He reasons that multiple rivers which he knows personally are better in the sight of man than all the rivers of Israel, and perhaps they were. Howsoever, we must remember how strange the ways of God are, which is why He tells us the following ahead of time,
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
We need to not care about our perception, or evaluation of things. Naaman properly evaluated the rivers of his day, but such was not obedience. God chose the manner for healing that He did, in order that He alone would receive the glory and praise for the healing. Was it not a solution contrary to everything rational and logical? No one had ever heard of such an occurrence as washing seven times in the Jordan River to be cleansed of leprosy. In fact, if it were not for Naaman’s hesitant obedience, no one would have ever heard of such a thing. One leper, at this one time in history, had one chance to have this method work, and pride and human “intellect” almost blew it.
Could such fine Christians as ourselves, called by the name of Christ Himself, really have such a lazy, proud attitude as that of Naaman? Decide that for yourself.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
I already know my own potential for pride, but God’s Word here serves as direct confirmation. The people called by His name need to humble themselves.
Religious Hypocrites
We all should be well aware of how boldly and unsympathetically the religious hypocrites are spoken of, and were spoken to, in the Bible, even by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. To claim to follow God, while all the while rejecting what He clearly says in His Word, is a most deplorable lifestyle. The most frequent cause of such rejection of what God’s Word actually teaches was, and most likely still is, tradition. This has prompted some to refer to tradition as “error grown old”.
Tradition is indeed dangerous, and can even be deadly, which is why we must be careful. Just look at how the scribes, lawyers, Sadducees, and Pharisees were addressed in the Bible. According to Jesus, they were: fools; blind hypocrites in an adulterous and evil generation; vipers; transgressors of the commandment of God by their traditions; far from Him in their hearts; vain worshippers; teachers of the doctrines and commandments of men; seekers of men’s praises; children of the Devil; unknowledgeable in the Scriptures and of the Fathers; seekers of things highly esteemed among men but which are an abomination in the sight of God. For an even more in-depth evaluation of some of the charges laid against the religious hypocrites of Jesus’ day, and some of the titles ascribed to them, wait for my BONUS post about it.
It is also worth noting that almost the entire 23rd chapter of Matthew contains nothing other than condemnation of religious hypocrites. In fact, in that chapter alone Jesus Himself addresses the scribes and Pharisees as “hypocrites” seven times! When we read such direct charges, we immediately thank God that He does not view us as such. Still, I wonder, could we simply be unaware that we are following in the same folly as the Pharisee in Luke 18?
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. (Luke 18:11)
Have we missed something as well? We will need to evaluate both motive and practice and not be willing to choose tradition over the Word of God.
I do not think that it was the goal of the scribes, lawyers, Pharisees, or Sadducees to completely reject the Word of God, yet, that is what occurred on many issues and occasions. However, when confronted by the Messiah, pride and love of tradition trumped the Word of God, and the hypocrisy continued. We know that these men had devoted their lives to religion and must have spent large amounts of time reading the written Word. Still, Jesus could accurately pose the following question to them: “Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” (Mark 12:24).
Their error was based upon their lack of understanding of the Scripture. Point blank, they knew “not the scriptures”. We know that they had read the Word, and yet they were still ignorant. How often Jesus questioned them about the plain things recorded in His Word!
“Have ye not read what David did?” (Matthew 12:3)
“Or have ye not read in the law..?” (Matthew 12:5)
“Have ye not read..?” (Matthew 19:4)
“Yea, have ye never read..?” (Matthew 21:16)
“Did ye never read in the scriptures..?” (Matthew 21:42)
“Have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God..?” (Matthew 22:31)
“Have ye never read what David did..?” (Mark 2:25)
“And have ye not read this scripture..?” (Mark 12:10)
“Have ye not read in the book of Moses..?” (Mark 12:26)
“Have ye not read so much as this..?” (Luke 6:3)
On each of these occasions, and perhaps many more, I believe that Jesus was asking a rhetorical question. He knew as well as they did, that they had indeed read the passages He referred to, probably many times over. Yet, something prevented them from understanding what was written. Whatever it was, Jesus held them personally accountable and spoke very bluntly to them because of their ignorance.
Unfortunately, this volume could just have easily been titled Have Ye Not Read?
Since that is the case, would Jesus speak to us just as firmly as He did to the religious hypocrites of His day? Hopefully, that would only be necessary if we choose not to repent. Tradition is not the sole option for making God’s Word of none effect, though.
Ignorance
I cannot believe that any true brother would intentionally choose ignorance, so I will not claim that they have. Though they may apparently be ignorant about the clear teachings of the Word, this could not have been their goal. Pride and tradition can certainly hinder understanding, but ignorance is not an excuse, especially for us. With the Bible being currently illegal in over 50 countries worldwide, some may have an excuse. However, the Bible can be at our fingertips within seconds on many of our phones and computers. Printed copies are sold every day at dollar stores for only $1. Yes, the sofa may be comfortable, and the television show enticing, but we have no excuse.
Strongholds and Presuppositions
The final subject upon which I desire to touch, prior to beginning this evaluation on the simple ways of God, is strongholds and presuppositions. The subjects addressed thus far can certainly fall into these categories, and the “spirits” of Nimrod, Naaman, and religious hypocrites are certainly mindsets that too many become enslaved to. Christ, though, has come to set us free. Whatever the reason, or excuse, for our rebellion and disobedience, Scripture provides the only cure-all answer. Strongholds such as pride and tradition cannot stand against it, and presuppositions (such as not willing to doubt that we could be wrong) are in conflict with it. The three following verses sum up the foundation of why my faith in the normal, modern, “Christian” system began to crumble, and my faith in the Lord became alive. They are as follows:
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scripture daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
Whatever we believe or are told, we must search the Scripture daily to see whether it is true. We must prove ALL things with the Word of God, and NOT believe everyone, or every thought. This, and this alone, will remedy the error in which would otherwise find ourselves. We are commanded by God to know His Word well enough that we can discern what is true. Once we know what He does say, then we are to obey. Simple in precept, but, like much else, very complicated in practice.
Final Warning
What you are about to read may be contrary to all that you have ever been taught or thought. However, Scripture, history, and the evidence will testify to the validity of the statements which you are about to read. Many may be offended, but it is not the individuals subjected to our modern false practices that should be done away with.
It is not the individuals in the system, but the modern “system”, or “institution”, and its common practices and methods that are in opposition to the commands of God, which are holding the people of God captive.
The people have a responsibility, to be sure, but I have no desire to attack any man. Our faith is hardly a shadow of what it is supposed to be, and though it may be fading, yet it currently still remains. My aim is to “strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die” (Revelation 3:2). The strongholds I have come to tear down, but as for you, my brother, I have come to build you up.
Wherever we may have come from, and wherever upon this earth we may roam, we are now redeemed, and called to a different life than the heathen of this world. We are to no longer follow the ways of this world, but are to follow the Lord our God.
I am the LORD your God. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 18:2b-4)
Because of the length of some of the upcoming chapters, I may space them out a little bit, with some other posts in between them. Hopefully you have been blessed by what you have read so far.
2+2=4
Thanks, @narrowminded
