Calling out my son.

Why do I feel like such a heel after calling out my son? 

Of course to ask the question is good, for it shows that I recognize a problem.  Usually when this happens, it’s due to a lack of sleep.  I do feel emotionally lousy.  It could also be living in the north.  We have to take vitamin a D3 supplement or we’ll be deficient (and such deficiencies do precipitate depression). 

...but I did sleep OK (at least I think I did) and I’ve been faithfully taking 5000 IU capsules of vitamin D3 for months now - nearly a year.

Of course, also, it goes without saying, when calling out anyone, as we reflect upon the incident, we see our own sinful heart and attitudes, and perhaps the fact that we aren't as perfect as we’d hope we were, indeed as we expected of our son, causes us a grief that is perhaps out of place.

I long for the day when we will sin no more - and when sin no longer will stain our various relationships.  But we live in the here & now, and right now sinful men and women must contend together in a cursed world. 

Such a dark scenario.  Is there no way out?

I say that there is - as we look to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Here we have a man, but also God, who loved us so much he willingly laid down his life for us.  Not as an example - but as a substitute for the very sinners who hated him - indeed he did this WHILE they hated him (See Rom. 5:8).

I need to remember this kind of love when I call out my son or daughter.  This means I really do call them out, but that as I do so, a compassion for them shows - so that they see the same love Christ had for me, is what drives me to call them out.

A while ago while in another ‘calling out’ session, my son called me out, “Why are you so hard on me?” and it was a good question.  At that time I had a ready answer - Because I really love him.  It is my love that drives me to care for his practices and habits - that he will not be captured by them. 

I think I know why I feel like such a heel right now…Perhaps I didn’t show enough love.  I’ll be making that correction, as soon as I am able. 

Repent!

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” (Acts 8:20-24)

Dr. MacArthur does not believe Simon was willing to repent, despite the request of Simon here, and looking strictly at the text it does seem to be the case.

Nevertheless, if Simon was truly becoming repentant and desirous of more than escaping judgment, then indeed he has hope.

As believers, we should always be willing to seek the Lord on behalf of others, and as much as possible extend Grace. But sometimes grace and love look very difficult. The call to repentance is like that. To the unbeliever it is most harsh – since turning from sin – apart from God, is completely impossible. Yet we read in Romans that faith comes by hearing (Rom 10:17). We do not know if said sinner will repent, but apart from the command to repent most likely they won't.

I have hope that those behind me after I am gone on to Glory will repent of their sin. I long to see my loved ones cease striving and know the Living God (Psalm 46:10-11). He is better than any sinful pleasure one may seek. He also knows and understands all your struggles whatever they are and no matter the distance they put between you and him. (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 4:15)

Repent therefore, trust the Lord with all your heart, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Real Power - the Rebuke of Simon

Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. (Acts 8:9-21)

Only two or three years have passed since our Lord was crucified, when here we meet up with Simon the Sorcerer. Simon’s sin was so outlandish it has created a whole category of sin, Simony: the act of selling Church offices or rules, the ecclesiastical privileges, or even pardons for sin.

And yet, do we not see this in action officially in many churches today?

Peter dealt with Simon is very strong words

Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! (Acts 8:20)

I once read a commentator who suggested that what Peter said was akin to an exclamation, “Your money be damned along with you!”

Peter then identifies a need for him to repent and ask God to release him from such iniquity.

The bond of iniquity comes with the gall of bitterness.

Sin may be sweet at the first but it is bitter in the end. Simon's sin was sorcery and such sin causes one to seek to manipulate all possible circumstances, to one's benefit. In the old King James Version it was called witchcraft. And this 'craft' has little to do with potions or cauldrons or spells. Its root is to control people and circumstances to your own benefit. This was Simon's chief sin. All the 'magic arts' he performed was to this end, that Simon get power – either a higher station in life or a better reputation. He was called by all the great power of God. So his bondage to this way of life led him to ask the blasphemous question, “Give me this power also…”

Power is the great end of sorcery, that one may control the outcome.

May we never fall to this line of reasoning, but – putting God in His proper place – may we humble ourselves and let him lift us up. (James 4:10)

(Related blog posts: http://mysoapbox2.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-battle-is-lords.html, & http://mysoapbox2.blogspot.com/2012/06/boycott-battles.html)

Peresecution is a Blessing!

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (Acts 8:1-3)

It’s interesting the Stephens’ witness in death lead to a great persecution. Yet let us not believe that Holy witness always leads to persecution.

God brings about persecution for his purposes. Our responsibility is obedience to the spirit without particular regard for our circumstances. We may indeed be placed in a hard place, but it is to the glory of God.

Years ago when I was a student at MBI, Mr. Hanna was my teacher for the book of Acts. And one of the points made was how the book was structured geographically. First in Jerusalem, then Judea and Samaria, and lastly to the end of the Earth – all based on Acts 1:8.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Acts 8:1 is the first point of transition from one geographic sphere to the next. And what grows this change?

Persecution.

It was God's plan from the beginning to have the church as witnesses in ever-increasing geographic circles – But in Acts 1:8 we are not told any means except the Holy Spirit. Now we see external means of another sort. Persecution of the church – spreads influence and also cleanses the church from false pretenders and bad doctrine.

Persecution is not bad - it may be intended as bad by the persecutor (Gen. 50:20), but God uses such for his purposes. Romans 8:28 is not simply a platitude, its reality!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

It's a great blessing to remember Joseph, Job, Daniel, and all the rest who suffered for their trust in the all-powerful God! Just as they also trusted God, so ought we! God indeed means all things are for us if we are the called. And while all people encounter some difficulty in this life – it is the believer who can rightly esteem God’s intent, even when we do not know that intent. How so?

We know the One whose intentions are true and good and right. His intentions do not simply hang like a hopeful expectation – but rather God is able to make the outcome, exactly what he desires, using means that we cannot now see. But we who know our God – and who are known by him can have a hope that will not disappoint! (Rom. 5:5; Heb. 11:1)

There is a great cloud of witnesses in heaven who surround us to remind us to stand fast! (Heb. 12:1-2) See and remember their struggles and when you are troubled on every side – pressed down to the dust, recall we are not alone!

Read II Corinthians 4:8-18, Hebrews 11, Genesis 37-50. Be encouraged Brothers and Sisters! We have a great High Priest who is familiar with our weaknesses and cares for us! (II Cor. 4:9-11; Heb. 4:14-16; 1 Pet. 5:7)

Can I encourage you, who do not know the Lord to call upon Him? He says that “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37)

Amen

Imprisoned and Beaten for the Lord!

Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, ¹⁸ and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” (Acts 5:17-19)

Imprisoned for the Lord!  Would I be willing to be imprisoned for my faith? Have I ever been so obedient as to find myself under scrutiny? Have you ever asked this of yourself? Why not?

The high priest was filled with indignation. I am sure it was a righteous indignation he felt, but this is only due to his being convinced that he was the authority, and had commanded them ‘not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus’ (Acts 4:18).

Yet the highest authority – God – had not even been considered by this high priest. So in his indignation he arrests them and puts them in the common prison.

Let us remember that those in high places may not have yet have been humbled by the mighty hand of our God. And though we are mistreated or unrighteously held – the true authority could, as he did in verses 19-20, release us at will.  (Cf. Dan. 3:16-18)

We should not take personally the mistreatment of those of the world – but considering where we were before and apart from Christ, be tender hearted. If it is a great burden to bear – let us remember the Lord Jesus Christ bore a greater burden for us, and he did this while we were in rebellion (Rom. 5:8)

“And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:40-42)

Beaten, but they rejoiced!  Upon Gamaliel’s advice they had them beaten and threatened them once again. Yet they considered it a blessing to be counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. In this politicized polemical world – far too many live in the pride of ego and argumentation. How can a man whose value is from his ego or his great ability to debate rejoice when he is beaten? He cannot! He fires back again and again. What did the apostles do? They did not argue – they obeyed the teaching received – they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Ultimately man can do only so much to us. We read in Luke 12:4-5 that ‘we ought to fear him who has the power, after he has killed to cast into hell – Fear Him!’

The patience of our God is all too often mistaken for approval of sin or apathy for it. Yet God does not approve of or ignore sin! One look at the cross and we see the Savior of the world was cursed for our sins (Isa. 53:5).  
My Friends – if God is willing to punish sin on the cross of shame, even to his own son – this tells us how much he hates it. Sin is so bad!!! But God demonstrates not only his love for us in the cross (Rom. 5:8) but also his justice for our sin!

We ought to be willing to be beaten and suffer loss for our faith in Christ to save… but are we? In addition – is our willingness due to love for the savior or because we seek to bribe God with a ‘good deed’? Love must be our highest motive!!!

Amen