Category Archives: Uncategorized

They Neither Marry Nor Are Given In Marriage

Do angels procreate? That is the question before us. It’s a question with which I wouldn’t normally bother, but there are certain doctrines advocated by men that rely upon this belief. There are some questions to which the Bible doesn’t give us all the answers. The secret things belong to the Lord (Deut. 29:29). But we can deduce certain conclusions from the facts we are given. That’s what this short article is about.

The Jewish leaders had come into conflict with the Lord on many occasions. The Sadducees denied the Old Testament doctrine of the resurrection (Job 14:7-15; 19:25-27; Dan.12:2,3). They concocted a scenario which they thought would place Jesus in a doctrinal bind which would support their position. I suspect they had used this on other occasions in their discussions with the Pharisees, though I couldn’t prove it. They argued that if a woman had a husband and he died without offspring, then her husband’s brother would come and marry her to raise up a son, all according to the Mosaic Law (Deut. 25:5-10), but he died before producing offspring, and that this happened seven times. Therefore, they asked whose wife would she be in the resurrection, since all seven had married her. They thought that they could show the absurdity of the resurrection by showing a case where it would be hard for the doctrine of the resurrection to deal fairly with it. They must have thought themselves very clever.

Jesus’ answer totally took them off their game. He said unto them, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:29,30). The statement under consideration here is that “the angels neither marry nor are given in marriage.” What does it mean that the angels “neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Matt. 22:30)? Some people would say you can’t extrapolate from this anything, especially that angels did not procreate. In fact, some argue that angels, albeit fallen angels, have mated with humans in the past. According to the theory, these were the “sons of God”of Genesis six, who, in mating with humans, “the daughters of men,” produced a race of giants, or Nephilim. There is a whole mythology that has developed around this idea that has no basis in scripture.

The statement that angels do not marry was in response to the scenario the Sadducees had given. Levirate marriage, to which the Sadducees were referring, was a real, legitimate practice (Deut. 25:5-10). The purpose of levirate marriage was to produce an offspring for a deceased brother, that “his name be not put out of Israel” (Deut. 25:6). It is noteworthy that in Luke’s account of this incident he records that Jesus also said,”neither can they die anymore” (Luke 20:36). What does death have to do with this scenario? Why would He introduce this now? Well, it was death that necessitated the remarrying in the first place, because each husband died before he could produce an offspring. The reason for each successive marriage was to produce offspring.

Indeed, the purpose of marriage from the beginning was for man to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:27,28; 2:18-25). This does not deny other, personal reasons for marriage (I Cor. 7:1-5). But God created the angels (Psalm 148:1-5) and their numbers are innumerable (Heb. 12:22; cf. Rev. 5:11). There is no need for angels to be able to reproduce because they do not die and their numbers are not diminished. Marriage is something we chose to do. Death and birth are things that happens to those that are subject to them. The natural portion of marriage is to procreate, to fulfill Gods command to replenish the earth. Jesus brings in birth and death in His response.

Furthermore, angels also are not the subjects of salvation (I Pet. 1:9-12; cf. Exodus 25:20; cf. Numbers 7:89; 1 Kings 8:7,8; Hebrews 9:5), so there is no need for more angels to be produced. Every human being that is produced, however, is another opportunity for a soul’s salvation. Hence, the command to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28).

So when Jesus stated that angels do not marry nor are they given in marriage, He wasn’t merely observing that angels do not engage in some social, marital convention, He was speaking to the very nature of angels themselves. They do not produce more offspring. It is not in their created nature. And in heaven, those that attain the resurrection will be equal to the angels in this respect (Luke 20:36).

Additionally, there is a principle in the Bible that things reproduce after their own kind (Gen. 1:9-14; 20-25). Angels are created beings in the spiritual realm (Heb. 1:14). They dwell in the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 5:1,5), where no flesh and blood can enter (I Cor 15:50). Human beings are flesh and blood and bone (Gen. 2:23). The different nature creates a divide between them that cannot be breached (Psalm 8:5; Heb. 2:5-10,14-18).

Finally, the assumption is made that the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 is a reference to angels. However, while the expression “sons of God” can refer to angels (Job 1:6,7), it is most often a reference to God’s people (Ex. 4:22; Deut. 14:1; John 1:12; I John 3: 3,4). The sons of God in Genesis six were the righteous descendants of Seth, while the daughters of men were the ungodly line of Cain.

While there may be many questions we cannot answer, the best we can tell from the scriptures and reason, is that angels do not procreate.

Eric L. Padgett

The Adventure of the Bible

It has been said many times that the Bible is library of books, not merely a single volume. This is true. But it is also more than a library of books. It is a library of adventure, of drama, of tragedy and mystery, of love and war, of heroism and villainy, of literature and laws, it is a library of miracles and science and philosophy and more. And all of these elements, stretched out over a period of fifteen hundred years across three continents were written by over forty individuals in three languages. All of these elements are intricately woven together in the most marvelous fashion to tell the Greatest Story Ever Told.

In the Bible we have some of the greatest adventure stories ever told. Here we have the story of Abraham, who traveled from his home in Ur of the Chaldees, to his God appointed home in Canaan. Also, the story of righteous Noah, who was chosen by God to save the world from total destruction and his year long odyssey in the ark. Then there is the story of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage to the land of promise and Joshua’s equally exciting conquering of the promised land. We could tell of Jonah’s reluctance to preach to Nineveh and his unusual adventure in the belly of the great fish. Daniel in the lion’s den and the Hebrew children. The story of Ruth is as compelling as any in the Bible and in the New Testament, we have the apostle Paul’s evangelistic tours and his trials in preaching the gospel.

For unparalleled drama we have the jealous treachery of Cain against his innocent, unsuspecting brother Abel. The challenges that face Moses as he led the children of Israel through the wilderness and the deliverance of the Ten commandments, keep your attention from start to finish. The timeless story of courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds is the story of David and Goliath and David’s relationship with king Saul is drama at its best, and historically true at the same time. In the New Testament, the birth of Christ is one of the most well known, most compelling historical narratives in the world and Jesus’ parables are powerful stories illustrating moral and spiritual truths.

As for treachery, the Bible records it. Joab, in pretense of greeting Amasa, a rival general, while embracing him, smote him under the fifth rib, causing his guts to spill out on the ground. The Bible is, at times, very graphic in its reporting of history. Another vile act of treachery was Joseph’s brothers, at first intent on killing him, then settling on selling him into slavery. In another instance, Ehud, a champion of Israel, visits the obese king of Moab, Eglon, under the pretense of bringing him a gift, and stabs him and escapes through the porch. And in the New Testament, we can’t forget those who plotted to kill the apostle Paul. But even more than this, the notorious treachery of Judas, who betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver.

Tragedy is abundant in the biblical narrative. Think for instance of the House of Saul. Saul literally stood head and shoulder above all others in Israel. He was a reluctant leader but showed great promise. Yet, he always managed to do the wrong thing and in the end he was rejected because he had rejected the word of the Lord. Then, of course, you can’t overlook the tragedy and triumph of Job. He lost everything in his life that meant anything to him except his faith in God and God rewarded him with more than he ever had.

The Bible is full of mystery also. Maybe not the kind the world generally thinks of, but it contains some of the greatest mysteries the world has ever known. There is the mystery of life: God breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. There are the Theophanies of the Old Testament. We think we know it all. But God says: “Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me” (Job 40:7). There is the mystery of the incarnation where God came down clothed in humanity (I Tim. 3:16). And then the resurrection of Christ and our own future resurrection. There are many things we can know, but the secret things belong to the Lord (Deut. 29:29).

There are accounts of love. The love of Abraham for Sarah, Isaac for Rebecca, Jacob for Rachael, Ruth for Boaz, David for Bathsheba, and the tragic love of Samson for Delilah. The Song of Solomon is a wonderful poem of love and it portrays the Lord’s love for His bride, the church. On the other side, there are stories of warfare. The great Battle of Jericho, the Battle f Ai, the conquest of Hazor, of the Southern Confederacy against the Northern Alliance in the Vale of Siddim, Gideon and the Midianites, the constant wars between Israel and the Canaanites, the Battle of Gibeah, the Civil War of Israel, and the battle against Assyria and Babylon.

There are accounts of heroism. Noah, who walked with God and built an ark to save his family and animals from the flood. Abraham, who had a covenant with God and was willing to sacrifice his own son, Isaac. Jacob, who became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Mordecai, who saved his people from a plot to destroy them. Joseph, who forgave his brothers and saved his family from famine. There is also David and Moses and Caleb and Joshua. There were female heroes in the Bible like Deborah and Dorcas and Esther and Mary.

There are villains in the Bible aplenty. Few can match the villainy of Ahab and Jezebel. There is Nimrod, the self-proclaimed “mighty hunter before the Lord.” There is wicked Haman who tried to enact genocide of the descendants of Abraham. Absalom who turned against his own father, king David, and conspired to take over the kingdom. Athaliah, the Herods and Judas surely finds a place in the Hall of Villainy. But, of course, there is that old serpent, the devil who tops out the list.

There is great literature in the Bible. There is history, poetry, law, letters and prophecy. The Bible contains matchless poetry like the 23rd Psalm, Job and the Song of Solomon. Paul’s discourse on love is beyond compare. The Lord’s Sermon on the Mount cannot be matched. The Ten Commandments are the greatest set of laws the world has known but Jesus’ Golden Rule sums up the most powerful principle of human relationships possible. There are miracles, philosophy and science in the Bible and much, much more.

All of these stories, all of these elements, are interwoven into the most beautiful composition ever conceived. It reveals little by little, piece by piece the grandest scheme of the greatest Story Ever Told. It is the story of redemption and salvation and forgiveness. It is a story of grace and mercy. But it is a story of obedience and submission. It is the only story of hope and victory. That is the adventure of the Bible.

Eric L. Padgett

On That One, Little Hill

Golgotha. The place of the Skull. Calvary. These terms all refer to one place, the place where Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. No other place in all the world bears so much meaning, has so great an importance to so many people worldwide as this one, small, “low, rounded, bore hill.” It is celebrated in song, painted by artists, studied by historians and geologists, and it marks a changing point in the history of man. It bore on its summit the symbol of the greatest contrasts in life, love and hate. It demonstrates the vast chasm between God and man, and also bridges that chasm. It symbolizes the greatest love ever known, God’s love, and it points to the best and the worst in man.

The hill of calvary, and on it, the old, rugged cross, marks the cruellest kind of cruelty of man to man. The cross was one of the most ruthless inventions of death that man ever devised. It was an agonizing, humiliating and slow sort of death, meant to exact the greatest amount of suffering. “Death ultimately occurred through a combination of constrained blood circulation, organ failure, and asphyxiation as the body strained under its own weight. It could be hastened by shattering the legs (crurifragium) with an iron club, which prevented them from supporting the body’s weight and made inhalation more difficult, accelerating both asphyxiation and shock.” (here). Under the Romans, the crucifixion itself was often preceded by a severe scourging, leaving the flesh hanging from the body in bloody clumps.

The victims were attached to the cross by both ropes and nails. “We have evidence of the use of nails from several sources. These were 13-18 cm (5-7 in) long tapered iron spikes. The application of the nails varied. Seneca reported that some were hung upside down, or with arms stretched out on either side. Josephus reported seeing crucifixion victims at the siege of Jerusalem (70 CE) where the soldiers positioned them in various poses to amuse themselves out of anger and hatred. Some people collected the nails as magical amulets.” (here) When you play with the death of others for your own amusement, you have surely sunk to the lowest moral depths of depravity possible.

The Romans who administered this horror were well practiced. They were experts in the field of torture and death. They and the Jews who delivered Jesus to be crucified were the worst that humanity had to offer. As cruel, and sometimes as barbaric, as the Romans were, it was the Jewish leaders who demonstrated the greater depravity. Jesus said they had the greater sin because they delivered Jesus to the Romans (John 19:11). Envy, hatred, pride, money and power were their motivations. Jesus had many confrontations with the Jewish priests, lawyers and scribes all of His ministry and they constantly sought to discredit or destroy Him. While Jesus had confronted sinners of all types, His especial condemnation was kept for the lawyers, priests and scribes who knew the law and should have been the first to acclaim Him as Saviour.

The cross is one of the ugliest ideas in human history. It peels back the thin veneer of civility and exposes the dark state of some men’s souls. That one cross that was situated atop the little hill called Golgotha, the place of the Skull and, there, upon its peak, was also a man of sublime purity. Not a single foul word proceeded from His lips. His actions were ever selfless and kind. He did no evil to any man. The kindest words of love ever spoken were uttered by this man who hung mercilessly from that rough hewn cross on its summit: “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). These simple, beautiful words were spoken with a face and body dripping with blood drawn by the hateful blows of His enemies. His hair was matted with sweat and blood and His head was crowned with thorns that pierced his scalp. His flesh was shredded from a fierce whipping. His hands and feet were secured to the hardened wood by spikes that punctured his throbbing body. And yet in His agony, in all His misery, He prayed for His persecutors’ forgiveness. What a contrast between love and hate, between God and man.

God’s love versus man’s hate atop the place of the skull. It was not really a competition, at all. There is no comparison to the everlasting love of God (Jer. 31:3). God’s love sought, and still seeks, the reconciliation of all mankind back to Himself. Many battles have been fought over such small pieces of ground to gain the advantage over the enemy, to gain the higher ground. God always possesses the higher ground but He gave His Son to die that we might gain the victory. And great victories were won on that hill.

It was on this hill that the church was purchased with Jesus’ blood (Acts 20:28). It was on this hill that those under the law were redeemed from the law (Gal 4:5). It was on this hill that the Old Law was taken out of the way (Col. 2:14). It was on this hill that the Saviour laid down His life to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). It was on this hill that transgression was finished (Dan. 9:24). It was on this hill that an end of sin was made (Dan. 9:24). It was on this hill that reconciliation for iniquity was made (Dan. 9:24). It was on this hill that everlasting righteousness was brought in (Dan. 9:24). It was on this hill the ransom was paid (I Tim. 2:6). It was on this hill that redemption through His blood was obtained (Eph. 1:7). It was on this hill that both Jew and Gentile were reconciled back to God (Eph. 2:16).

All on that one, little hill.

Eric L. Padgett

Lot and Sodom

The two angels that came to Sodom had apparently accompanied the Lord to speak to Abraham on the plains of Mamre (Gen. 18). While the Lord remained and revealed to Abraham what He intended to do with the cities of the plain, the two accompanying angels made their way there to do the work the Lord had given them to do. When Lot made the acquaintance of these two angels, not knowing they were such at the time, he invited them into his home to protect them from the violence of that city.

Lot had chosen this place to be his place of residence. He had left the company of Abraham, his uncle, to keep the strife down between his herdsmen and Abraham’s. Lot was not a bad man. Peter called him a just man who was vexed with the filthy lifestyle of the wicked (II Pet. 2:7). But, like all men, he had his weaknesses. Ane he would reap the consequences of his choices. And those consequences would reverberate across time.

Perhaps there was some sort of bond between Abraham and Lot. Lot was his brother’s son. He was fatherless and Abraham was childless. When Lot was in trouble, Abraham came immediately and fearlessly to his rescue. Abraham interceded on behalf of the people of Sodom, pleading with God to save that city, the city of Lot, if a handful of righteous people could be found.

Sodom and Gomorrah were very wicked places. The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was very grievous (Gen. 18:20). The infamy of those cities have become a byword for a certain type of previous sin that God designates as abominable (Lev. 18:22). It was an unnatural and unseemly act that was against the very nature of man and found justification by rejecting the very idea of God (Rom. 1:26-28). It was in this environment that Lot was daily vexed.

By God’s grace, Lot escaped the imminent destruction only to lose his wife when she went back and was turned into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26). God rained down fire and brimstone on the wicked place and the smoke of it went up as the smoke of a furnace. It is a figure of the fires of hell that are reserved for the wicked.

Lot’s final disgrace was when he suffered indignities of his two daughters who caused him to get drunk that they might have offspring through him. This was the beginning of the Moabites and the Ammonites who would plague Israel down through the ages.

“What we see is a man who means well (courtesy, Gen. 19:1; hospitality, Gen. 19:2, Gen. 19:3, Gen. 19:6-8; natural shame, Gen. 19:7; loyalty, Gen. 19:14; and gratitude, Gen. 19:19), but who is hopelessly bound up with the moral life of the city through his family connections – alliances that have pulled him down rather than elevated others (Gen. 19:9, Gen. 19:14, Gen. 19:26, Gen. 19:31-35). The language of 2Pet. 2:7, 2 Pet. 2:8 reminds us that Lot was, even at this time of his life, a “righteous” man. Viewed as a part of his environment (the writer has been speaking of Sodom, Gen. 19:6), Lot was certainly entitled to be called a “righteous” man, and the term fits the implications of Gen. 18:23-32. Moreover, Gen 19 itself shows Lot “vexed … with their lawless deeds” and “sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked” (compare Gen. 19:3, Gen. 19:7, Gen. 19:8, Gen. 19:14)” (ISBE).

Eric L. Padgett

What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

What does it mean to be a Christian? All the various churches of “Christendom” call themselves “Christians,” but they all hold to distinct doctrines and beliefs, with the exception they most all believe that Jesus is the Christ. But even that view is sometimes skewed. They were all founded at different times by different people. Does being a Christian mean, then, that one can believe anything just so long as one believes that Jesus is the Christ? Is this the only doctrine that matters? Does doctrine even matter at all? What does the Bible say it means to be a Christian?

The Bible is clear that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). A disciple is a learner or follower or student. In this case, the followers are followers of Christ. Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). To follow Him is to hear His voice. You can’t be a follower of Jesus Christ and follow someone else’s voice.

When the Lord was transfigured before His disciples, Jesus appeared with both Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:1-13). Moses was, of course, the great lawgiver of the Old Testament. He was chosen by God to lead the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage into the promised land. He recieved the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Old Testament from the Lord at mount Sinai (Ex. 20). On the other hand, Elijah was the great prophet of the Old Testament who challenged the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 18) and performed many great miracles. Upon seeing these great men, Peter wanted to build three tabernacles to honor all three, Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Though well intentioned, Peter was unwittingly either lowering Jesus’ stature or elevating those of Moses and Elijah.

But as those events unfolded, a voice came from heaven saying,”This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him” (Matt. 17:5). When the disciples looked again, only Jesus remained. The obvious meaning of these events was to impress upon their minds that it was only Christ to whom we are to listen, no other. There is not other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). While God has spoken in divers manners in times past, in these last days He speaks to us by His Son (Heb. 1:1-3).

Jesus said the words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life (John 6:63). Only Jesus has the words of eternal life (John 6:66). Jesus said “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). We cannot reject Jesus’ words and expect to be recieved by the Lord in Judgment. If we add to or take from His word, then we are going to find ourselves under a very serious imprecation (Gal. 1:6-8; Rev. 22:18,19; cf. Prov. 30:5.6). We must hear His voice and hear His words.

As students or disciples, we listen to the teaching of our Master. Jesus said, if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). Teaching is doctrine. When we follow our Master’s teaching, we follow His doctrine. If we do not follow His teaching, we do not follow His doctrine. But “whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (II John 1:9).

Does it matter if we get something wrong? Is the Lord going to hold us accountable for breaking even the smallest jot ot tittle (Matt. 5:18)? Jesus said,

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:21-27).

The Lord said not just everyone is going to be accepted. Only those that do the will of God. How can one do the will of God if one does not know it? How can one know it, if one does not study it, and understand it, and follow it? Those things which the Lord taught He gave to the apostles and told them to go and teach all nations (Mark 16:15,16; Matt. 28:18). Notice, in Mark’s account he says the “gospel” must be taught. But Matthew says that this is “all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” The gospel, then, is everything that the Lord commanded us through the apostles and if we teach any other gospel, then we will be accursed (Gal. 1:6-8).

We have in the New Testament what the apostles received of the Lord. Paul said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand, by which ye are also saved” (I Corinthians 15:1,2). All scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (I Tim. 3:16). The apostles were guided into all truth and had all things brought to their remembrance that the Lord told them (John 14:26; 16:13).

To be a Christian then is to follow all the teachings of the Lord. The division of the religious world is not acceptable to the Lord (I Cor. 1:10). We urge all to throw away all human doctrines and traditions and creeds and accept only the doctrine of Christ as taught in the New Testament.

Eric L. Padgett

The Beauty of Family

God created the institution of the family (Gen. 2:18ff). Nothing God created could ever be ugly or bad as long as it continues to function as God created it. Moses affirmed that all that God had made was “very good” (Gen. 1:31). The core of the family is the male husband and the female wife. Paul described the relationship between the husband and wife as a “mystery” (Eph. 5:32). The underlying Greek word “musterion” might be translated something like a “plan.” Marriage, therefore, is the great plan by God for the propagation of the human race and for the spiritual, mental and physical development of all members in that family and, consequently, society. Destroy the family, and society follows after.

God’s command to the man and woman at creation was to “be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:28). Children, then, are an integral part of God’s plan for the family. “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5). “Children’s children are the crown of old men” (Prov. 17:6).

It used to be that large families were quite normal. Now “feminism” and other left-leaning ideologies have polluted our culture and poisoned the minds of many as to what the roles of men and women are in the home and in society. Indeed, attempts are currently being made by the left to destroy the very concepts of male and female. America and the world has been sickened by this poison which is promoted daily on television, radio and in print and in the schools. The antidote to cure this sickness is to infuse back into the church and the nation biblical principles of identity, family governance and authority.

It is the responsibility of the parents to bring up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:3). In every facet of life, fathers bear the responsibility to diligently instruct their children in the word of the Lord (Deut. 6:6,7). Mothers are also responsible for the rearing of the children in the way of the Lord (II Tim. 3:14,15; 1:5). When these instructions and this guidance fail, the child’s future is imperiled and the family is destabilized. Obedience to parental guidance, blesses the child and, generally, ensures a long and prosperous life (Prov. 1:8,9; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1,2). Disobedience to one’s parents is a recipe for personal, social and spiritual doom.

Love is the powerful bond that holds the family together. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). A man, a husband, should love his wife even to the point of giving his life for hers, just as Christ did for the church. There is no greater love than this (John 15:13). The Christian’s love never fails (I Cor. 13:1-8). A husband is to love his wife as his own body (Eph. 5:28). The love between the husband and wife must be this kind of love in order for the family to prosper and endure as it should.

Children are to be obedient to their parents (Eph. 6:1,2). When children are taught the truth correctly, they grow up to be faithful all of their lives (Prov. 20:6). There really is no better, more satisfying life than the Christian life (John 10:10). Those that trust in the Lord find a life of contentment, happiness and peace. It not only has blessings in this life, but especially in the world to come (Mark 10:30). Good, obedient children make productive, serious adults. Productive, serious adults result in a productive, stable society.

It is in the family that wonderful memories are made and character is built. Nothing is more precious than quality time spent together, forming lasting memories of good times. The special times between a husband and wife draw them closer and bring them to better understand one another. The parent’s time with their children is not only an investment in their own legacy but also a foundation being laid for their child’s spiritual, moral and physical development. These times don’t have to be particularly exotic or different. They can just be time spent in one another’s company at dinner discussing the issues of the day or after dinner playing games. It does not matter much what it is. The key is time spent together doing things together.

It is not a coincidence that one of the ways in which God’s people are described is in terms of a “family” (Eph. 3:15). God is the Father and we are His children (Matt. 6:9). We are brothers and sisters in Christ (Heb. 3:1; Luke 8:21). As a family we share each other’s burdens, and pains and sorrows (Gal. 6:2). We weep with those that weep and rejoice with them that rejoice (Rom. 12:15). When one member suffers, they all suffer; when one is honored, all are (I Cor. 12:26). We are honest with one another and try to resolve our differences, when they arise (Eph. 4:25,26).

The Christian family is a safe and sacred place, a haven of rest for the weary soul, a covert from the storm. It is an island of safety in a tempestuous sea and a strong and impregnable fortress of against the enemies of the light and all that is good. It is a fountain of life and hope for the weak and weary and a tree of life for the hungry and thirsty soul. It is simply a foretaste of heaven.

A beautiful thing is the family.

A Pilgrim’s Journey

Life has been described in many ways by poets and scribes and philosophers and seers. All seem to agree that one of the ways to think about life is as a journey. On a journey, one begins at a certain place and ends up, possibly, in another. One begins a journey with a certain amount of baggage, or a lack thereof, and ends up with either more or less. There are sights to be seen and people and places and things to be experienced and things to do. Obstacles and challenges are met along the way. All of these things, and more, shape our character and transform us, for either good or bad, in one way or another, as we travel down the highways and byways of life.

The Bible teaches that if life is a journey, then our path must take us on a course that leads higher and upward. Heaven is our goal. Abraham confessed that he was but a stranger and pilgrim in the earth, seeking a country which lay beyond the borders of this mundane globe and which bore the landmarks of a higher plane, for he “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:13-16). It is a far better city and far better country than this old world has to offer and it is in the kingdom that cannot be moved (Heb. 12:28).

That city is a wondrous place where the streets are of transparent gold and its twelve gates are each of singular pearls and the whole of it like precious jewels, clear as crystal. It is a place where death and pain, sorrow and crying and tears and sin no longer molest the righteous soul and all things are new and bright (Rev. 21:4,5). That city shines with a wondrous glow that comes from being bathed in the glorious light of God’s holy Presence (Rev. 21:11).

There are many roads to travel in this life that lead to many destinations. Some of these places may be pleasant and even noble in and of themselves, but they can never be our final destination. There is only one way to the Heavenly City. All other roads lead to perdition and destruction. The way of man is not in him, it is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23). That one Way is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Way and the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

The way to that heavenly country is straight and narrow and, sadly, few there be that find it (Matt. 5:). If you find yourself on a path in life that is busy and well traveled, bustling with the restless and noisy crowd, rest assured you are on the wrong path. It may be a smooth path, with no hills or hardships and it may offer every kind of comfort and excitement that this present world can offer, but it is most assuredly the wrong path. Jesus said the path that leads to heaven is straight and narrow and frought with challenges and dangers. That is why there are relatively very few that find it.

On any journey, especially a long one, it is possible to get lost. Sometimes we take a wrong turn and head down the wrong road. We can easily loose sight of our goal if we are not careful and diligent. It is very hard in such cases to admit that we have lost our way. It takes humility and courage to admit that one is lost and strength and honor to turn around and get back on the right path. Sometimes we must stop and get our bearings and maybe even ask for directions.

There are some, however, who never intend on following the straight and narrow path. They want the excitement and fascination of the broad, loud, and vulgar way that can only lead to destruction. They want to travel every back alley and sample the wares of every dive. They are bewitched by the dazzling shows and the flickering lights of the demons of the broad way. Their eyes are shut and their ears closed and their hearts hardened to the dangers that lie before them and to the warnings offered by those who have traveled that way before only to find empty promises and heartaches. And in the end, eternal death.

So as you journey through this life, chose wisely which road you follow. Keep your eye on the goal. Stay alert. Watch and pray. Follow the highway called the Way of Holiness (Is. 35:8). Call on the Father Who will judge every man according to his works and pass the time of your sojourning here in fear (I Pet. 1:17). “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11).

Eric L. Padgett

Putting Zeal Back Into Our Worship

Let it be understood at the outset that the worship I am contemplating here is scriptural worship. Jesus said that those who worship God must do so in truth (John 4:24). By this He meant it must be scriptural or according to the revealed pattern (Heb. 8:4,5). Anything less than this is already vain worship (Matt. 15:9). If you are engaging in unscriptural worship practices, you may feel satisfied, at least for now, but God is neither glorified nor pleased. That is not even under consideration here. We are dealing here only with scriptural worship.

Having said that, another aspect of true worship about which Jesus spoke is worshiping in spirit. To worship in spirit is to worship with the right moral attitude and with the proper emotional response. In the worship of Jehovah, the heart and spirit must be actively engaged. Sometimes in the courses of our lives, we may grow calloused and our worship may become commonplace to us or mundane. It may become old hat or just a matter of going through the motions. It is then that we must try to rekindle the fire of our first love (Rev. 2:4).

In this article, let me presume to make some practical suggestions that may rekindle the fiery flame of zeal in our worship.

Get a good night’s rest
I think I would list this as the most important thing you can do individually to maximize your own worship. So many times people come to worship and Bible study only to use it as a place to sleep. (I confess that I have struggled with this problem at times.) I realize that in our day and age we become so exhausted because of work and family activities. But we need to make a very serious and conscious effort to find a way to truly rest and sleep before coming to worship.

I know how hard it is sometimes to stay awake, especially if the speaker is flat or dry. But while a gifted speaker will try and make his sermon interesting, as long as he is speaking the truth, that is the most important thing and deserves to be heard. I also know many people have medical problems that could affect their ability to stay awake. Even taking a short nap just before coming to services would help greatly in staying awake and lucid. A lot of the time, however, the attitude of the listener affects the way the speaker is heard. The listener often prejudges the speaker and shuts down emotionally and cognitively before the lesson is even had a chance to develop.

On one occasion, the apostles Peter, James and John fell asleep when Jesus asked them in His most trying hour to watch with Him. When He came back and found them asleep, He asked them this pertinent question: “What, could ye not watch with Me one hour” (Matt. 26:40)? That is a question we should ask ourselves. It would do well to remember Paul’s admonition: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11). Many places stand to sing the song just before the sermon. This helps to get the blood flowing and rejuvenates the worshiper some before sitting to hear a sermon.

Let Your Devotion Be Centered On God and Not Yourself
Worship services are not for our entertainment. God did not command worship so that we could be amused or awestruck by the activities. Worshiping God means offering our praise and adoration of Him. It is a solemn, holy occasion. David said, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple” (Psalm 5:7). Again, David wrote, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). And again, “Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy (Psalm 99:5). Worship is not about us. It is all about God.

Make sure there are no hindrances to your worshiping God
Another problem we sometimes face is that we bring the rest of our problems with us when we come to worship and they preoccupy our minds so that we cannot concentrate clearly. Are you thinking about what you will have to eat later? Are you thinking about work, friends, your upcoming vacation, etc.? Does a problem with a brother or sister cloud your thinking during worship? Take care of this problem first before you come to worship lest your worship be hindered (Matt. 5:23,24).

Get your wardrobe ready the night before
This has been a practice of mine for many years. Instead of waiting till Sunday morning to rush around to try to find matching clothes that are not in the laundry, find your clothes the night before and have them ready. This will save a lot of time and will allow to think about expressing your attitude in worship with the way you dress. If we think about dressing appropriate to the occasion, perhaps the Lord will not ask “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:12).

Have your lessons ready for Bible class
If you take the time to go through your Bible class lesson, it will greatly aid you in being mentally prepared as you study God’s word. This will also carry over into the worship service. It will allow you to be prepared to ask or answer questions that may arise during the study. By studying the lesson, whether it just be reading the assigned Text or reading a prescribed reading or answering questions, you will be a workman that will not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Tim. 2:15).

Immerse Yourself in Spiritual Things and Surround With Godly People
If you just have to listen to the news that morning, make it brief. Just look at the headlines and then view them only through the lens of a biblical world view. Don’t let the affairs of this life entangle your mind and distract you (II Tim. 2:2). Stop listening to screaming, lying denominational preachers. If you must listen to anything at all, listen to sound gospel lessons before you go to worship.

Talk to your brethren about scriptural matters. I was privileged as a youth to be guided by two or three older brethren in the congregation. I would generally get to the building thirty minutes early and we would discuss matters of doctrine and brotherhood concerns. In effect, we had already had a Bible class even before services began. My mind had already been tuned to spiritual matters by the company I kept.

Spiritual, zealous worship is no one’s responsibility but your own. The Lord’s supper may go through the same actions every week. Those who lead prayers may say the same thing week in and week out. The song leader might not sing in key and often lead the same songs over and over. The preaching might be dull. But ultimately, effectual worship is your own responsibility. These are just a few, simple ideas that I think are helpful. There are of course many other things that could probably be said more specifically, but I hope these help in putting zeal back into our worship.

Eric L. Padgett

We Are In Trouble

People’s attitudes are different now than when I was growing up. I’m not really that old, though I have passed my life’s mid-century mark, but I remember a time when people conducted themselves in a much more dignified, decorous and decent manner. People were generally more conscientious about their appearance, were more polite, showed respect to others, especially their elders, were not offended by every little thing, could laugh at themselves, did not feel that the world owed them anything, felt a sense of self-reliance and felt embarrassed if they had to depend on someone else, especially the government, to support them.

Of course there have always been problems. There were broken homes then, too, but there was also an understanding and an appreciation of the fact that the family was the moral center of society. I don’t think many people today own that view. Marriage was held up as a sacred institution and divorce was frowned upon and considered a failure. There was no question about the nature of marriage, as to who could marry another. Marriage was by definition–and understood by everyone–to be only between a man and a woman. Period.

Homosexuality may have been practiced, but it was hidden, for the most part. In fact, it wasn’t until 1973 that the American Psychiatric Association voted to downgrade homosexuality in its official list of mental disorders to a “sexual disturbance.” It wasn’t until 1987 that it was removed completely from it’s official list of mental disorders. Today, however, if you suggest in any way that homosexuality is sinful or irrational behavior, you are considered to be the one with a mental problem. To top it all off, we now have a man who thinks he is a woman acting as the assistant health secretary in the United States who has indicated he intends to go after those holding the traditional views of marriage.

People’s attitudes have changed with regard to modesty. People then dressed with dignity, especially the older generation. Men wore hats and doffed them to women out of respect. People wore their best dress clothes when going to a function like worship or a funeral, again, out of respect. Today it is not unusual to see people dress in very inappropriate and sloppy attire when attending these functions. All of this indicates a general lack of respect for others and for traditional customs and values.

Now, the younger generation back then, my generation, was already on it’s way to wearing less modest clothing. But my dad’s generation and his dad’s generation continued to wear modest, respectful attire and my dad and mom always saw that their children dressed with respect and for the occasion when we went somewhere. We were poor, but we were always taught to wear our best in public and be modestly dressed. Some people may respond that times and styles change. That is true, but while styles may change, modesty is timeless.

Another area where you can see a change in the attitudes of people is speech. It used to be that people were taught to be respectful, to say “Yes sir” and “No sir” and “yes Ma’am” and “No Ma’am” and to say “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.” I am sure there are still young people being taught to do this, but I don’t think it is all that common. Many young people I meet today, and even a lot of the adults I come across, carry themselves without a true sense of humility and it shows in their speech.

There has always been a generation gap. There was one when I was a boy. I know from history that in various other ages the younger generation often did not connect with their parent’s generation. Yet the attitude of the young today toward the older generation is even more alarming. It is not just one of disconnect, but of disdain. This younger generation has been brought up, it seems, to hate the older generation. We see certain segments of our society brutally attacking older, defenseless Americans by punching them in the face. It has also manifested itself in an attack on those who are in authority, like the police, for instance. Groups of young, restless, hateful terrorists take over portions of our cities and we just let them do it. In fact, they are glorified by the left. Those who would try to bring peace and order are the ones who are condemned.

We are in trouble, very deep trouble, as a society. The world has been turned upside down and no one has the courage, perhaps even no one has the power, to set it right. The reason for all of this is nothing more than that we have left the moral compass of God’s will. Our society does not believe in much less glorify God. We have turned coldly materialistic except when some false, man-made idol can be concocted and worshiped. We kill innocent babies and let the elderly die because they drain financial resources with no return because we no longer believe all life is sacred. We fund those who mutilate their bodies because they have the delusion they “identify” as something other than what they are biologically because they reject the order of God’s creation. This horrendous list could go on with stories that literally would make your skin crawl.

I pray for our nation and the world. We are spiraling out of control into the depths of perdition and damnation. The momentum of the moral direction we are falling may not be able to be stopped in any short period of time, if at all. As time goes on, things may grow considerably worse for the Christian. We must be prepared for the worse, pray for the best and never lose our faith in God.

Eric L. Padgett

Mrs. Johnny Gospel

Oh, hi, Timothy! How are you? You know, I am so glad I caught up with you. I was just talking to my friend the other day, Johnny Gospel. You might remember him. I introduced him to you before (here). Remember? I asked him how he was doing and, well, he was telling me about how blessed his life has been. As the conversation got around to his family, he was especially thankful, he said, to be married to his wife. I was so impressed upon hearing about her, and I knew you were thinking about marriage, that I thought you would want to hear about her, too. This is what he told me.

First, he said he was thankful because he never had to worry that she was anything but completely faithful to him (Tit. 2:4; I Cor. 7:2). He knew that she submitted herself to him completely and only to him (Tit. 2:5). She would not allow herself to be put into a situation of temptation by being alone with another man or give other lewd people an occasion for idle talk (Prov. 31:11). He told me, without going into detail of course, that she fully satisfied him in every way a good wife would and should a husband (I Cor. 7:2-6). She recognizes his God-given leadership role in the home, but also works together with him as an equal partner in married life (Eph. 5:23,24). He said he esteemed her as far more valuable than great riches (Prov. 31:10).

He also said he could not want a better mother to his children. I will tell you about his children some time later, but she truly loves them (Tit. 2:4). She is as devoted to them, as Rebekah was to Jacob (Gen. 27) and Hannah to Samuel (I Sam. 2:19; 1:28). She is always up bright and early every morning to make certain her children have a good, nutritious meal before they head out (Prov. 31:10). She also sees that they are always clothed with appropriate attire (Prov. 31:21). It is a testimony to her character that her children all love her and publicly praise and bless her (Prov. 31:28).

Since she, herself, will not dress immodestly, she sees that her children not only dress appropriately but also dress in modest apparel (I Tim. 2:9-15). They wear nothing too tight, or too revealing or too suggestive. She conducts herself as a godly woman should and expects her children to behave the same way (I Tim. 2:10). She is a virtuous woman (Prov. 31:10). She is generous (Prov. 31:20) and kind, humble, peaceful and patient (I Cor. 13:4-7) but also strong and determined and industrious (Prov. 31:16-20). Her importance cannot be overstated because she oversees and runs the household. Her children heed her counsel because they love an respect her so.

Brother Gospel also says that Mrs. Gospel is actively involved in the work of the church (I Cor. 15:58). She is, of course, a faithful Christian (Rev. 2:10). She is thoroughly acquainted with God’s word because she studies it every day (II Tim. 2:15). She instills in her children a love for Christ and takes every opportunity to cultivate in them Christian principles and teaches them God’s word (II Tim. 1:5; 3:14-17). She teaches Bible classes for the young and regularly visits those who are sick and shut in (James 1:27). She is always present when the doors of the church are open and never misses the assembling together of the saints (Heb. 10:25).

Whenever she has the opportunity she teaches others about Christ (Acts 8:4). But she is not pushy or overbearing or loud. Those who come across her path immediately know that she is different by the character which she displays (Tit. 2:3). Her demeanor and deportment set her apart from most other women. She has a quiet intelligence and is respected by all in the church for her wisdom (Prov. 31:26). The younger women seek her counsel and the older women know she is trustworthy.

I know it sounds like I am describing the perfect woman. But she has her faults (Rom. 3:23). She is only human. But she prays regularly to the Lord and for her children and her husband and the church (I Thess. 5:17). When she fails, she doesn’t get too discouraged but asks the Lord for strength and for the courage to start over and keep going (I Pet. 5:7; Phil. 4:13). Her and her husband work hard at being good servants of the Lord (Eph. 5:22). Johnny said he didn’t know where he would be without his wife (Prov. 18:22).

Well, anyway, I thought you would be interested to hear about Johnny Gospel and his lovely and gracious wife. He certainly is blessed to have such a wonderful companion in living the Christian life. I pray that you are blessed enough to find the same kind of loving companion as Johnny Gospel.

Eric L. Padgett