Our Adversary
November 19, 2012
In the New Testament, which was written in Greek, we read about the enemy of our souls: the devil. In the Greek language, the word for devil is: “diabolos” (διάβολος). And of this enemy, Paul writes, “and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27).
In the English language our word “diabolical” comes from this root word “diabolos” (διάβολος). And, indeed, this adversary that we face is diabolical. He will go to any “length” in order to trap us and cause us to fall. Peter tell us, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He is the very essence of his name: diabolical.
Jesus, however, helps us in our fight against this diabolical enemy. We put on the “armor of God” in order to win this fight against the devil. And we do it in this fashion: “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). We can be thankful that we have an Advocate who is able to help us defeat this adversary.
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The Light
November 14, 2012
The Bible is an amazing document. It contains sixty-six books written by thirty-nine authors who were all inspired by God to write “the truth.” And although separated by thousands of years, these writers all point toward the same person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Of course, the New Testament was written in Greek, and the Greek word for “light” is “phos” (φῶς). This Greek word is where we get the English word “phosphorus.”
Phosphorus, when exposed to the elements (air), will glow in the dark. Jesus, when He came into the world, shone in the darkness of this world. John, also writing of Jesus, says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, the light “phos” (φῶς) of the world.
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Spirit Warfare
May 8, 2012
I have been battling illness for the last two weeks, and, to say the least, it hasn’t been much fun at all. Although I know that if we, as Christians, are trusting in Jesus, we know that He is “working all things for our good.” But sometimes, in dark times, we can become despondent.
Today, however, I decided to take it to the “enemy.” I spent most of my day, between 9am and 3:30pm, studying God’s Word. I looked at fourteen passages of Scripture, mostly on spiritual warfare, in five different versions: King James Version, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, The Amplified Version and the Greek New Testament. So altogether I was able to study sixty-three passages of Scripture today (five were in the Old Testament so I couldn’t look at them in the Greek language and I studied Isaiah 53 only in the KJV and NIV). I also prayed in between the reading of these Scripture verses.
It was an amazing day! I used the Word of God to battle the devil, and he lost. The pain that I had in my abdomen this morning is gone, and I thank the Lord for healing me. He is faithful, and He is our Healer. “To God be the glory, great things he has done.”
The Counselor
May 5, 2012
Even the smartest ones among us, at times, need guidance or direction. There isn’t a soul living who hasn’t needed instruction or help at some point in their life. This is an undeniable fact of life.
The Bible has much to say on this subject. In fact, Jesus spoke of someone who would come (after His ascension) who would be our “Counselor.” Our Lord knew that we would need additional help after His departure.
In the original Biblical text, written in Greek, the word for counselor is “parakletos” (παράκλητος). This is where the English word “paraclete” comes from. This word also means “helper” or “intercessor.”
In the Gospel of John, Jesus, said, “But the Counselor [helper, παράκλητος], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). Of the Holy Spirit, Jesus also stated, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth…..” (John 16:13). Isn’t it reassuring to know that we have help for guidance, direction and leading?
There have been many times in my life where I would have made huge mistakes had it not been for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I am thankful to the Lord for sending His Spirit. He is, indeed, our Counselor.
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Servanthood
May 4, 2012
If the only book of the Bible available to us, of the four Gospels, was the Gospel of John, we would know very little of “the Lord’s Supper” or communion. That is because the thirteenth chapter of John makes only two brief references to “the evening meal” (v. 2) and “the meal” (v. 4). That’s it. The bulk of this chapter deals with Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. The first seventeen verses of this section of Scripture show Jesus humbling himself and becoming a servant to His followers.
In the original Greek text, the word for servant is “doulos” (δούλος). This word is also defined as “slave.” This latter definition, however, carries harsher connotations than the former.
After finishing washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus stated, “Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant [slave, δούλος] is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them’”(John 13:12-17). This is amazing to me how the Lord of all creation would stoop down and become a servant.
I used to belong to a denomination that practiced “feet washing.” Let me tell you, there is nothing more humbling than washing another brother’s feet. And there is nothing like the blessing of following our Lord’s example in being a servant. I am thankful to the Lord for allowing me to participate in this ordinance; those occasions were always joyous ones.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Gift
May 3, 2012
When one hears the word “gift,” it, generally, brings to mind one of these occasions: birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc. The word connotes times of happiness or joyous periods of life when something is given and received.
Sometimes, when referring to someone who is talented in some way, we say they are “blessed” or “gifted.” Both uses of this term, however, denote similar meaning.
This word, “gift,” also appears in Scripture. In the original text, written in Greek, it is written “charismata” (χαρίσματα). This is where we get the English words “charismatic” and “charisma.”
In 1 Corinthians, chapter twelve, this word is found regarding the Holy Spirit and the “gifts of the Spirit.” The Apostle Paul writes, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts [charismata, χαρίσματα] of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines”(1 Corinthians 12:7-11). These are wonderful possibilities for one who is filled with God’s Spirit. And, by the way, it is conceivable that a believer could possess all of these gifts.
The starting point, however, is experiencing the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Achieving one’s potential, spiritually, is possible when one is filled with the Spirit. At that point, the gifts described by Paul are available.
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Power
April 29, 2012
The world is consumed with a lust for power. Nations want control over other nations. Corporations want dominance in the marketplace. Politicians want power and control over their constituents. This desire to acquire power for selfish reasons has been one of mankind’s greatest faults.
There is a power, however, that is good to seek after. It was spoken of by the Lord just before His ascension back to the Father. Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The disciples probably had no idea what the Savior meant when He spoke these words, but they would soon find out “in a big way.”
In the original text, written in Greek, the word for power is “dunamis” (δύναμις). This is where the English word “dynamite” comes from.This explosive power is what Jesus told His followers to wait for.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on those who were waiting for Him, and they received the power that Jesus told them about. Luke writes, “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:1-4). The faithful had received this “dunamis” power.
Why should one desire this power? The answer is found in the aforementioned words spoken by Jesus: “…..you will be my witnesses…..” (Acts 1:8). A person should desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to tell their friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, relatives, etc. about Jesus and His saving grace. That is the reason that seeking after this “power” is one of the best things a believer could do. If you haven’t received this “power for service,” ask the Lord to fill you. You will never be the same.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Truth
April 28, 2012
The world says that it is impossible to find “truth.” The news media, the world’s political establishment and even some church leaders do not subscribe to the belief in “absolute truth.” The Bible, however, has a great deal to say about “truth.”
In the New Testament, which was written in the Greek language, the word for “truth” is “aletheia” (αλήθεια). This word also means “reality.” But when one thinks about it, nothing is more “real” than the truth. So it makes sense that the word “reality” would be synonymous with “truth.”
Jesus said, regarding truth, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). This could be restated, “Then you will know the [aletheia, reality], and the [aletheia, reality] will set you free” (John 8:32).
Also, in John’s Gospel, the apostle, quoting the Lord, wrote, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus states unequivocally that He, and only He, is “the truth.” There is no wiggle room, here, for those who would say that there are “many ways to God” and that there is no “absolute truth.”
Here is the “bottom line.” If one chooses not to believe in “truth” that does not change the fact that it exists, and that it exists in the person of Jesus Christ. So my final statement would be this: “knowing the truth is knowing Jesus.”
If you are reading this post, and you don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord, let me encourage you now to pray to receive Him into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come live in you. Today could be the greatest day of your life.
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Jesus is the “Logos”
April 27, 2012
When a preacher gets up before a congregation to speak, this is sometimes called “bringing the message” or “bringing the Word.” My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all ministers, and they gave many “messages” and preached the “Word” of God during their time in ministry. The message that they brought was the “good news” of the Gospel.
Within the Bible, itself, Jesus is also referred to as the “Word.” In the Gospel of John it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). The author, John the disciple, wrote this statement under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As the disciple who was closest to the Lord, he was certainly the one who would know who Jesus was and what His message was.
In the original Greek text, the term for “word” is “logos.” To help one understand what John meant when he called Jesus “the Word,” one might look at an additional meaning for the word “logos.” “Logos” also means “message.” If the Gospel is the “good news,” then Jesus is the center of that “news.” Therefore, He is the “Word” or “message” that is being proclaimed.
The great news is this: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Jesus is, indeed, the “Word” or “Logos,” and Jesus is the “message” of the Gospel.
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New Testament Greek
April 26, 2012
In my final semester at Asbury Theological Seminary (Spring 2011), I took a course in New Testament Greek. It was a very enlightening class, and I learned much.
After graduating, I continued to study the language, and I even began the tough task of trying to translate Scripture verses from Greek to English. But I haven’t been as diligent to open my Greek Bible or study materials in the last ten months.
I have been sick (diverticulitis) this week, however, so I have been looking at the Scriptures in Greek again. It has been a blessing to delve into the original text that was written by the authors of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
What I have learned, today, is that the Greek word for Christ “Christos” comes from the root word “chrio” which means “anoint.” Therefore, the literal translation for the word Christ is, “the Anointed One.” So whenever a person sees the word “Christ” in Scripture, “the Anointed One” is its meaning.
For example, Colossians 3:4 states, “When [Christos, the Anointed One], who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Also, Philippians 1:6, states, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of [Christos, the Anointed One] Jesus.” In addition, Ephesians 1:9 says, “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in[Christos, the Anointed One].” Lastly, Galatians 5:1 begins, “It is for freedom that [Christos, the Anointed One] has set us free.“
I haven’t had a great week, physically, but I’m thankful that I was able to get back into the study of God’s Word in the original text. Praise the Lord!
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
