BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 03/17/08

OUR POSITION: A brief statement of the plea for a return to the Gospel and the Church of Apostolic Times, urged by the people known as Disciples of Christ. By Isaac Errett, Editor of the "Christian Standard."

Isaac Errett is laying out a wonderful foundation of what I would consider ‘normal’ Christian thought.  It is what we believe in our type of churches (Restoration Movement).  I do not consider what we believe to be watered down, but I do see it as a purer form of Christian doctrine that is not tainted by denominational opinions and thousands of years of useless church tradition.  We seek to worship God as He is described in the Bible.  We seek to understand church as it is set-out in the Scriptures.  Errett has talked about Jesus Christ, our foundation stone of Christianity.  Now he speaks of the Holy Spirit.

“The personal and perpetual mission of the Holy Spirit, to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to dwell in believers as their Comforter, Strengthener and Sanctifier.”  Again as in all things he states, Errett’s comments about the Holy Spirit are directly tied into Scripture.  John 16:8 explodes onto the scene in this thought.  Yet, it is Errett’s names for the Holy Spirit that caught my attention.

I.  Comforter: Jeremiah 8:18 talks about God in this manner and states that He is the ‘Comforter in sorrow.’  The Hebrew word in this verse has the sense of ‘the source of brightening.’  I can’t help but think that the Holy Spirit is certainly the bringer of light into our dark souls.  He brings hope to our hearts when we are desperate.  Actually, as I have studied this, the KJV uses the word ‘Comforter’ a lot more than the NIV.  The NIV uses the word ‘Counselor’ (John 14:16, 26; 16:7)… which certainly is a comforter.  Part of the Holy Spirit’s job is to counsel us and comfort us in troubling times.     

II.  Strengthener: When I see this title, I cannot help but think of Samson.  The Bible tells us (Judges 13-16) that when the Holy Spirit came on Samson with power, his physical strength was unmatched before or since.  I know that Errett is not speaking of physical strength as he describes the Holy Spirit, but of emotional and spiritual strength.  2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 

III.  Sanctifier:  Sanctification is the ongoing process in a Christian’s life of becoming more godly and more Christlike.  Living our lives according to the prodding of the Holy Spirit brings us closer to God.  Consulting Him when making decisions keeps our lives on the right holy path… this is sanctification.

John 17:15-19 says, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”

Holy Spirit… comfort me in my distress

Holy Spirit… strengthen me to face each day

Holy Spirit… sanctify me to be more like my Lord

Holy Spirit… comfort me when I am sad

Holy Spirit… strengthen me when the day seems too much

Holy Spirit… sanctify me and keep my life pointed towards God.

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 03/02/08

OUR POSITION: A brief statement of the plea for a return to the Gospel and the Church of Apostolic Times, urged by the people known as Disciples of Christ. By Isaac Errett, Editor of the "Christian Standard."

Isaac Errett concludes his thinking about Jesus Christ by saying, “His supreme authority as Lord of all.”  Again, true to his Restoration Movement ideals, Errett is not stating something about Jesus that is not found in Scripture over and over.  Scripture is our guide and source of information about Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Lord of all:   

Deuteronomy 10:16-18  16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.  17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.  18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.

Acts 10:34-36  4 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism  35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.  36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Romans 10:9-13   That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

1 Timothy 6:13-16  3 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you  14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,  15 which God will bring about in his own time-- God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Revelation 17:14  4 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

Revelation 19:11-16  11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.  12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.  13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.  14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.  15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

I realize that the first passage (Deuteronomy) speaks of God the Father, but this is quite acceptable to me and should be to you.  The Christian view of the Trinity tells us that Jesus the Son and God the Father are One.  Therefore, what is true of One is certainly true of Another.  God, (Yahweh and Jeheovah), is the Supreme Being that is sovereign over all creation.  The Bible tells us (Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.) that Jesus also occupies that place as the Lord over creation.  The Lordship of Jesus means that on the end… everyone will bow and confess Jesus as Lord… either willingly in this life or in unavoidable compulsion after death. 

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 03/02/08

Isaac Errett’s fifth statement about our belief in Jesus Christ says:

“His ascension to heaven and glorification in the heavens, where he ever liveth the Mediator between God and Man--our great High Priest to intercede for his people; and our King, to rule until his foes are all subdued and all the sublime purposes of his mediatorial reign are accomplished.”

Honestly, Errett doesn’t do much in this statement other than combine Scriptures that speak about the same thing.  Here are some Scriptures that he would have read before writing the above statement:

1 Timothy 2:5-6: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-- the testimony given in its proper time.”

Hebrews 4:14-16: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 9:13-15: “The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

            It is very important to note that Paul in the book of 1 Timothy and the writer of Hebrews are speaking of Jesus in legal terms.  One day all of us will be in the courtroom of eternity (the actual Supreme Court) and will be facing the Just Judge over all Creation.  Do you want to be standing there before God by yourself?  I don’t.  I would not want to represent myself at the End of Days… I know who I am and I know I deserve Hell. 

I cannot help (because I am a Sci-Fi fan and Star Trek lover) of the sixth Star Trek movie, “Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country.”  In this movie, the heroes Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy are on trial for a murder they did not commit and are on trial on the Klingon homeworld (bad rough enemy aliens).  The Klingon legal system is not “innocent until proven guilty.”  The Klingon legal system, when you go to trial, has already determined your guilt and you are already sentenced to death.  The trial is just a formality.  I think many will find Judgment Day similar.  God already knows the facts of the case and we are already guilty.  The punishment has already been assigned.  We have no hope of appeal because we are indeed guilty and are without hope of defense. 

            And yet, because of Jesus Christ (and certainly not ourselves), we have an advocate who will defend us and in the end has paid my penalty for us.  He will ask to “approach the bench” in our hearing and will have a one-on-one talk with the Judge.  After Jesus claims me, I will be free to go.  Not because of anything I did.  But because of Him.  He is the High Priest.  He is the Mediator.  He is our King.

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 02/25/08

“His resurrection from the dead, abolishing death and bringing life and immortality clearly to light.”

            On the surface when you read this statement, you might think that Isaac Errett has been sipping on a little too much Nyquil (or something a little stronger).  He is continuing to speak about Jesus and is continuing to explain central beliefs about Jesus.  And yet he says Jesus abolished death?  It is quite obvious to me that since the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – people have continued to die.  Funeral homes can testify to this fact if you aren’t so sure.  So, what is this man talking about?

            Isaac Errett is not crazy, but is explaining that Jesus has changed the inevitable eternal death of human beings into a choice.  Before Jesus, we were all doomed to destruction and a “second death” which would be inevitable because of our sinful nature.  Romans 6:23 tells us plainly, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  We earned our death and it is what is due us.  Notice in this verse from Romans that ‘death’ and ‘eternal life’ are paired opposite of each other.  This is because the ‘death’ mentioned is understood to be a spiritual one… called “second death” in Revelation.
           
            The “second death” is a term used in Revelation:

Revelation 2:10-11  
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”  

Revelation 20:4-6   
“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.  

Revelation 21:6-8
“He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.  He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.’”

            Those who are without Jesus Christ will endure the fiery lake of burning sulfure and an eternity without God.  That is death… that is the second death (spiritual and eternal) that occurs after the first death (physical).  I believe that Errett is rightly pointing us towards the truth that Jesus Christ’s death had eternal significance.  I believe that he is sharing this thought with us so that we will see the cross and the resurrection in light of an eternal purpose and timeline. 

Jesus’ resurrection brought us immortality.

Jesus’ resurrection saved us from the second death.

Jesus’ resurrection ensures that we are cared for after this physical life.

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 02/18/08

OUR POSITION: A brief statement of the plea for a return to the Gospel and the Church of Apostolic Times, urged by the people known as Disciples of Christ. By Isaac Errett, Editor of the "Christian Standard."
            Isaac Errett continues to ponder Jesus and explain core principles of Christian belief and next says, “The death of Jesus as a sin-offering, bringing us redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”  I think the best way to think about his statement is to cut it up into pieces like a chicken, BBQ each piece, and chew on it for awhile… to better understand it.

            Before we chop up the sentence, let’s marinate it a little bit, clean the grill, and get the coals ready.  We need to take a look at a few Bible passages first to prepare us to think about the death of Jesus.  As you read these, please note that I have underlined the important aspects of the verses… I realize they are sort of lengthy:

Leviticus 16:5-22
“From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.  6 "Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.  7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.  8 He is to cast lots for the two goats-- one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.  9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering.  10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.  11 "Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household, and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering.  12 He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain.  13 He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the Testimony, so that he will not die.  14 He is to take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover.  15 "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull's blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it.  16 In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness.  17 No one is to be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel.  18 "Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on all the horns of the altar.  19 He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.  20 "When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat.  21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites-- all their sins-- and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task.  22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.”

Hebrews 9:24-28  
“For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.  25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.  26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.  27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,  28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Hebrews 10:1-4  
“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.  2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.  3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,  4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

            Keeping these three passages in mind, let’s take a look at what Errett wrote in relation to the death of Jesus.  He begins by saying that Christians believe in the actual, physical, laid-Him-in-a-tomb, we-thought-He-was-gone-for-good death of Jesus Christ.  Jesus did in fact die.  He died on the cross after having been beaten and then nailed to the cross.  By the way, it was not necessarily the nails that killed Jesus, but He died of suffocation (based on His outstretched arms and body position) on the cross.  Jesus died.  What did His death mean?

#1  as a sin-offering =  Sin is any wrongdoing against others or against God and this wrongdoing has penalty with it.  That penalty must be paid for.  In the Old Testament, that penalty was paid for by animals… which rolled back the guilt of the people for a year.  Jesus became the lamb/goat that was sacrificed to pay the sin penalty.  Jesus became the scapegoat on which the sins of all people are confessed.  Jesus took the punishment and paid out debt.

#2  bringing us = Jesus death was all for our benefit.  The whole point of Jesus going to the cross was for US.  He loved us and so He came and died.  Jesus was beaten, nailed, speared, made fun of, naked, shamed, separated from God, ridiculed, suffocated, and finally died… for us.  We gained the benefit for Jesus’ actions.  

#3  redemption through his blood = We have to understand that God accepted the blood of goats only for awhile.  The blood of an animal cannot pay for my sin.  God allowed that sacrifice to hold off the penalty and give me an extension, but it did not truly pay off the debt.  Somebody has to pay!  And that person, without any intervention, would be you.  YOU will have to pay for your sin… if there is not an intervention.  Jesus was that intervention.  Jesus shed His blood instead of the bulls, goats, and lambs.  Jesus shed His blood instead of yours and mine and all the other people in the world.  He did that for us as a sin offering.

#4  even the forgiveness of sins = The whole point of Jesus death was to forgive sins.  Hebrews 9:28 among other verses tell us that Jesus death removed our sins.  Jesus was the scapegoat.  Jesus was the one who went up to God and paid for my sin with His blood.  Now I am no longer guilty, but His. 

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 02/11/08

OUR POSITION: A brief statement of the plea for a return to the Gospel and the Church of Apostolic Times, urged by the people known as Disciples of Christ. By Isaac Errett, Editor of the "Christian Standard."

“The life and teachings of this divinely anointed Lord and Savior, as the highest and completest unfolding of the divine character and purposes, as they relate to our sinful and perishing race, and as an end of controversy touching all questions of salvation, duty and destiny.”

            Isaac Errett continues to talk about Jesus Christ, the central pillar, cornerstone, and crux of the Christian faith.  I hope that you realize that it is Jesus that makes our religion and faith different from all others.  The whole belief system of Christians is based on the Person, life, teaching, and death of Jesus of Nazareth.  His life was supremely important.  Every word that came out of His mouth was important.  In His life and teaching, He expressed God’s character and purpose.

            John 14:6-11, “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."  Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”  Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?  Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”

            Jesus’ words expressed who God was.  Jesus’ teachings expressed who God was.  Jesus’ actions expressed who God was… more than any book (however holy) could ever express.  Jesus came because we have sinned.  Jesus came because we turned our backs on Him.  Jesus came because without Him we certainly are perishing with no hope.  John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  I also hope you realize that it is God’s fondest wish that every person come to Jesus Christ and accept Him as Lord and Savior.  This saves them and they are no longer perishing. 

            Isaac Errett also uses some interesting words in his paragraph and explains that when Jesus came He touched on “all questions of salvation, duty and destiny” because of His life, words, and teachings.

How did Jesus touch on Salvation?  Jesus certainly touched on salvation and explained (read John 14:6 above) that the only way to be saved is through Him.  Jesus is the way to salvation.  Jesus is the Truth about God incarnate and explained the True way of salvation.  Jesus is the One who brings eternal life.  It is not much of a theological leap to say that Jesus Himself was Salvation Incarnate.  Jesus WAS the salvation that everyone was looking for.

How did Jesus touch on Duty?  I believe that Jesus taught His disciples and us that once a person is a Christian, they cannot sit back and enjoy the fruits of Christianity without any effort.  Being a Christian means there is a duty to righteousness, good works, prayer, and other godly pursuits.  Part of the duty of the Christian is the remain in Jesus and build that relationship with Him.  Jesus said in John 15:1-8,  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.   This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

How did Jesus touch on Destiny?  Actually, I am not so sure what Isaac Errett meant in this part of his writing.  I say that because when I think of the word ‘destiny’ or even ‘fate’ I do not associate it with the Bible, but with other religions or philosophy.  The word is found only a few times in the Bible (7x).  I can guess that Jesus sealed the destiny of many by coming to Earth and living His life. 
Because Jesus came, those who accept Him have a destiny in Heaven. 
Because Jesus came, those who do not accept Him have a destiny in Hell.  

            It is quite clear that the life of Jesus was very important to us… as Christians.  Jesus revealed much about God through His life.  Jesus revealed much about Salvation through His life.  Jesus revealed much about our need for Him through His life.

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 02/04/08

OUR POSITION: A brief statement of the plea for a return to the Gospel and the Church of Apostolic Times, urged by the people known as Disciples of Christ. By Isaac Errett, former editor of the "Christian Standard."

            Isaac Errett is not one to be brief or vague on anything, and so in his writing he becomes more specific about the beliefs of these people who call themselves Christians.  He is helping us to define the religion that we see in the New Testament.  The specifics of our faith are described in the Bible.  So, what is it that we believe?

            One of the first things we must talk about is that we believe in “The incarnation of the Logos--the eternal Word of God-- in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.”  The statement that Errett makes is quite similar to the beginning of John’s Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made…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 1:1-3, 14).  Both Isaac Errett and the Apostle John are making the same point.

Let’s look at a few words that Errett and John uses to help us with our thinking about Jesus…

#1  “incarnation” = the word ‘incarnation’ or ‘incarnate’ is a word that we get from a Latin word which means “in the flesh.”  The word “carnal” is also related and has everything to do with the physical fleshly body.  When someone uses the word ‘incarnate’ they are speaking about something physical and something with flesh.  Let’s just skip any silly examples I might think of and go right to the point… Jesus was/is God incarnate.  Jesus is God in the flesh.  In the late 1990s, Joan Osborne had a hit song with the title “What if God was one of us?”  The answer to her song is that He WAS one of us… and His name was Jesus of Nazareth. 
            The Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:5-8 says the very same thing, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!”  One of the most complicated things we must wrap our mind around is the fact that Jesus was at the same time 100% God and 100% human.

#2 “Logos” =   The word Logos is actually a Greek word that means “word” or “spoken word.”  When the Apostle John was writing about Jesus Christ in the first chapter of his Gospel, he called Jesus the Logos (hence the capitalization by Isaac Errett) of God.  Jesus came to be the One who would explain God to us.  All that Jesus was… His emotions… His attitudes… His teaching… His miracles… His conversations… were all designed so that we would know what God was like.  Jesus spoke about who God is through everything that He did.  Jesus tells his disciple Philip, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).    

            Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person.  We believe that He walked and talked and ate and slept.  We believe that He was also God in the flesh and came for a purpose.  One of His purposes was to show us what God is like… when we know Jesus we know God.

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 01/28/08

Isaac Errett (1820-1888) is continuing to talk about the foundations of Christianity and what our churches find important… and he of course turns to Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the central figure for Christians… even the name ‘Christians’ means ‘little Christs.’ 
4. “The divine excellency and worthiness of Jesus as the Son of God; his perfect humanity as the Son of Man; and his official authority and glory as the Christ--the Anointed Prophet, Priest and King, who is to instruct us in the way of life, redeem us from sin and death, and reign in and over us as the rightful Sovereign of our being and Disposer of our destiny.”

How is that for a mouthful?  Don’t worry, I’ll wait so you can read it again (I waited a few minutes… and now I am typing again).  Errett explains several things about Jesus that are quite important to the Christian faith.  Jesus is our cornerstone and when we understand Him, the rest of the Christian building makes a whole lot more sense.

#1  Jesus is the Son of God = It is very significant to call Jesus the Son of God.  To be called the ‘Son of God’ means that Jesus was God.  That makes Him equal with God.  The disciples knew He was like God and was God in the flesh because they saw it with their own eyes (Matthew 14:31-33).  To call oneself the Son of God was offensive to many people (Matthew 26:63-65), and would have caused many to doubt Jesus.  Yet, because of His birth through the Holy Spirit via Mary… Jesus is who He says He is… God in the flesh (John 1:14).  That is amazing!  Jesus was 100% God and 100% human being.  I realize that equals 200%, but only in our math.  God made it happen in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

#2  Jesus lived a perfect life = To be honest, the only way the cross is even effective in paying for sins is if the sacrifice given is blameless and without sin.  That is why in the Old Testament a lamb without spot or blemish was needed.  The sacrifice had to be perfect to pay for sin and Jesus was to be that perfect sacrifice (1 Peter 1:19).  Jesus had to fend off temptation and reject sin… in order for Him to be able to take on other peoples’ sin.  Otherwise… He’d be dying for His own sin (Hebrews 5:8-9).

#3  Jesus was the Christ = It is very important for us to know that Jesus was not an accident or an after-thought.  From the very beginning (Genesis 3:15), Jesus was the plan.  God knew we would need a Redeemer and a Savior and knew that He would have to ‘come down here’ and fix it Himself.  As a side note, YES God knew we would reject Him and sin and go our own way and He created us anyway… now that is love. 

#4  Jesus is our Priest and King = The Book of Hebrews (chapters 4-5 for starters) is the best place in Scripture that explains this aspect of Jesus.  Jesus, because of His life, death, and resurrection, has become our High Priest.  He is able to ‘mediate’ between us and God and has made the sacrifice needed for us.  This allows us access to God.  The priests in the Old Testament would offer the sacrifices and allow people access to God… Jesus did that, but on a more eternal, spiritual, and permanent level. 

#5  Jesus is the “Disposer of our destiny” = Plain and simple… on Judgment Day (THE Judgment Day… not the one from the Terminator Movies) Jesus will be the one handing out the tickets to Heaven and Hell.  Romans 2:16, 2 Timothy 4:1, and others tell us that Jesus will be the one dispensing where each of us goes at the end of time.  Jesus will be the judge of the living and the dead. 

When you understand… “The divine excellency and worthiness of Jesus as the Son of God; his perfect humanity as the Son of Man; and his official authority and glory as the Christ--the Anointed Prophet, Priest and King, who is to instruct us in the way of life, redeem us from sin and death, and reign in and over us as the rightful Sovereign of our being and Disposer of our destiny”… then you understand a whole lot about Jesus Christ.  You understand who He was/is and why He came.  

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 01/21/08

OUR POSITION: By Isaac Errett, Editor of the "Christian Standard"

3.  “The alone-sufficiency and all-sufficiency of the Bible, as a revelation of the divine character and will, and of the gospel of grace by which we are saved; and as a rule of faith and practice.”  Isaac Errett continues to instruct us on the kind of church we are apart of… and highlights our views on Scripture.

I want to introduce you to a little Latin phrase that is important to understand… especially when thinking about the above statement by Errett.  The phrase is ‘sola scriptura’ which means ‘by Scripture alone’ and was a foundational principle of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s and 1600s.  That phrase, ‘sola scriptura’ means that the Bible is God’s written word and is clear, self-explanatory to the reader, and is the final authority in Christian doctrine.  You are in a kind of church that takes this doctrine very seriously.

Beginning with the Cane Ridge Revival in 1801 in Kentucky, the Scriptures have played a central role in our churches.  The Cane Ridge Meeting House near Paris, Kentucky boasts a huge pulpit in the church which physically shows the importance of preaching and the Word of God to early Christian Church folks.  I have been there and seen it and the pulpit is the central focus of the whole meeting house… making the proclamation of God’s Word central.

The Bible… I believe… is the central focus of the Restoration Movement churches.  We want to restore Christianity as close to what the Bible describes as possible.  Thus, we must look at the Bible correctly.  We must make Bible study a central part of our churches.  We believe that the Bible is the only source needed when thinking about God or trying to figure out how to run a church.

Isaac Errett says that we believe in “The alone-sufficiency and all-sufficiency of the Bible, as a revelation...”  The Bible does not need help to reveal itself to human beings.  God has equipped the Bible with all things necessary to communicate Truth to a reader.  We do not need a Pope to interpret the Scriptures.  We do not need another testament from another prophet to explain what the Bible means.  “For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).  Any person that can read can take the Bible in their hands and can understand what God wants of them.  The Bible is sufficient all by itself. 

Isaac Errett also says that the Bible reveals…

… “the divine character” of God = The Bible is all we need to understand the character of God.  God has revealed Himself through the Bible in countless ways.  He shows through His rescue of the Israelites from Egypt that He is a Savior.  He explains He loves us unconditionally through the sending of His Son.  He shows that He is Trustworthy and True because of fulfilled prophecy and kept promises.  God gives a glimpse into Himself through Jesus as recorded in the Bible.  All that we need to know about God is revealed in the Scriptures.  

… the “will” of God = God has explained so much about Himself in the Bible which includes His will.  It is God’s will that we love one another.  It is God’s will that we forgive.  It is God’s will that we place Him first in our lives.  It is God’s will that we say thank you in our prayers.  It is God’s will that orphans and widows are cared for (not orphans and ‘windows’… as I originally typed).  God’s will is quite clear in many situations we face because the Bible has already addressed the issue and decreed what God thinks on the matter.   

… “the gospel of grace by which we are saved” = The Bible is our primary source for information about message of Jesus Christ.  We all have experience which we rely on, but it is the Bible that shares the details, information, and heart of the Gospel Message – Jesus Christ the Son of God died for your sins so that you could be with Him forever in Heaven.  That message is contained in the pages of the Living Word of God.

… “a rule of faith and practice” = The Bible also reveals to us many aspects of Christian life and church life that are already decided.  Who should be elders in the church?  The Bible tells us.  What are the spiritual gifts found in the Body of Christ?  The Bible tells us.  How should we settle disputes among ourselves?  The Bible tells us.  Many issues that come up for Christians and for churches have already been addressed in the Bible and should be followed as God’s blueprint.  The Bible is our “rule of faith and practice” or our “standard” in such matters.

The Bible is supremely important in our kind of church.  We look to the Bible to reveal to us all about God.  We look to the Bible to reveal His will to us.  We look to the Bible to show the plan of salvation and explain the Gospel message.  We look to the Bible as a standard of behavior and practices in the church.  The Bible, and the Bible alone, is supremely important to us.  Other denominations might have manuals or books of prayer, but we rely on Scriptures alone. 

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 01/14/08

Return of the Borst Blog!

I am renewing my efforts to blog this year and so as we begin, I thought we would look at something that would tax our brain power, stretch our faith muscles, and give us a kick in our emotional seats (if we need it).  I have them planned out for much of the year… so let’s hope we can stick to it!  We will begin by looking at one of the foundational documents of our brand of churches.  The document is called “Our Position” and was written by Isaac Errett (1820-1888) the founding editor of the Christian Standard.  The first foundational idea he puts forth is that…“The divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.”  We looked at that last week.

The second idea that he states for our churches (and for our mind munching today) is: “The revelation of God, especially in the New Testament, in the tri-personality of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”  This one for me is absolutely tons of fun.  Hello Trinity!

I guess since this is my blog I should just go with what I believe about all this and hopefully it will stir in you spiritual thoughts.  I realize that Isaac Errett states that “especially in the New Testament” that God is found in three persons, but I believe that we find God is the same in the Old Testament as well.  The God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are One in the same (pun intended).  What is true in the New Testament is therefore true in the Old.  God does not change.  He is eternal and the same.  So, God then, has always existed as the Trinity. 

#1  From the very beginning, God speaks of Himself as “us”:

• Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, “ Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 
• Genesis 3:22 also says, “And the LORD God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’”  
• Genesis 11:6-7 = “The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.  Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

#2  God also speaks of the Messiah as part of Himself, but separate in some way:

• Zechariah 12:10 =  “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”

#3  God differentiates even in the Old Testament and three persons can be seen:

• Isaiah 63:8-10 = “He said, "Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me"; and so he became their Savior.  In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.  Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.”

We must not ignore the huge elephant that is in the room.  The huge elephant in the room is that the Jewish people, the caretakers of the Old Testament, strongly disagree that God is three persons.  This goes against everything they know about God.  One of the key verses that any good normal Jewish person would site is Deuteronomy 6:4-5 which is quite the key set of verses in the Old Testament: “Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”  God is one.  Plain and simple.  He is not two or three, but one.

What we must understand about the Trinity is that by saying that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, Galatians 4:6) is not saying that God is three gods somehow masquerading as one god.  Each person is part of the whole.  As I have come to understand the trinity, an example is best:

I am a father, son, and husband… all at the same time.  My responsibilities as a father are to care for my kids and parent them.  I love them.  I am also a husband, but as a husband, I have a different role in the life of my wife than that of my children.  Husbandly duties are different than parental ones.  In addition, I remain a child of my parents and my role in their lives is different still.  I am still me, but I have these different roles.  This example comes via Bob Martin at JBC in the old days.  I can function as all three and yet remain myself.  I like this example better than any other explanation I have heard.  You may have your own favorite example to explain this difficult teaching. 

From the very beginning, God has been the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  God was the Creator.  Jesus was the Son waiting to redeem His Creation.  The Holy Spirit was there hovering over the face of the deep.  God has revealed Himself to us in this way.  Isaac Errett says, “the revelation of God” meaning the way that God is explaining Himself to us.  God has revealed that He functions relationally in three ways and interacts with us on many different levels. 

I want to encourage you not to expend too much precious brain energy on the Trinity… it is the human finite way that an Eternal Infinite God has chosen to explain Himself.  We will NOT understand it all.  It is quite impossible… the same way an ant would never hope to understand quantum mechanics or the nuances of capitalism.  Do your best to think on it, but don’t pull a brain muscle.

OTHER PASSAGES THAT SPEAK OF THE TRINITY:
Ephesians 1:17
1 Peter 1:1-4
1 John 5:1
2 John 1:1-9
Jude 1

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 01/07/08

Return of the Borst Blog!

I am renewing my efforts to blog this year and so as we begin, I thought we would look at something that would tax our brain power, stretch our faith muscles, and give us a kick in our emotional seats (if we need it).  I have them planned out for much of the year… so let’s hope we can stick to it! 

We will begin by looking at one of the foundational documents of our brand of churches.  The document is called “Our Position” and was written by Isaac Errett (1820-1888) the founding editor of the Christian Standard.  The first foundational idea he puts forth is that… “The divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.”

Isaac Errett records for us that our churches believe that the Bible was “divine inspiration.”  This means that the Bible is considered to be the very Words of God.  This means that when Matthew sat down to write his account of the birth, life, and resurrection of Jesus… that he did not do it on his own.  He was inspired by God to write.  He was inspired by God what to write.  This is true of all Biblical writers.  John 14:26 tells us, “But the Counselor, 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.”  2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that the Bible that we have is “divinitus inspirata” or “inspired by God.”  The Apostle Matthew, John Mark, Luke, the Apostle John, the Apostle Paul, James, Moses, David, the prophet Samuel, and any of the other writers of the Holy Scriptures did not write based on their own desires or their own memories, but they had divine help to put quill to parchment. 

This means something very important for the Bible.  This means that the Bible is inerrant.  What does that word mean?  That word means that the Bible is without mistake.  That word means that the Bible does not contradict itself.  That word means that God has taken care of His Word down through the centuries and it says exactly what He wants it to say.  That word means the Bible is without error and is true.  How is this possible?  God is perfect.  God is without sin.  Deuteronomy 32:4 confirms this (among other passages) when it says, “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”   God is without mistake and so when writing down His word, even though it was through a human being, the end result would be without blemish or spot or error.  That is why the inspiration of Scripture is so very important.  The source matters because it directly relates to the end result.  

Isaac Errett also tells us that the process if divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Scriptures applies to both the Old Testament (Genesis – Malachi) and the New Testament (Matthew – Revelation).  God has taken care of His version of events and His record of His dealings with human beings and the whole of the Bible is divinely inspired.

Believe it or not, I think this belief is on the rise after quite a hiatus in our culture.  The Barna Research group (www.barna.org) reports that “In 2006 48% of all adults agreed strongly that the Bible is totally accurate in all of its teachings compared with 42% in 2002 and 35% in 1991.”  We are coming to realize that the never-changing Word of God is accurate.  It is as accurate today as it was when the words were written. 

So, what does this particular belief about the Bible do for us?  What is the end result of such a belief in our lives?  Well, I think there are two main results of having an inspired inerrant divine resource in your life:

#1  Creates a trustworthy foundation for our faith

#2  Establishes an unchanging standard for life

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 03/06/07

FASTING

Have you ever thought a lot about fasting?  Fasting is certainly mentioned in the Bible in many passages.  Moses fasted.  David fasted.  Jesus fasted.  But, what about us?  Is fasting something that we should do?  Should fasting be part of our spiritual walk?

I think the short answer… is yes.  Fasting can be an important part of your spiritual life that brings you closer to God.  For example, 2 Chronicles 20:1-4 describes fasting as part of prayer when one is seeking after God, “After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar’ (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” 

Jehoshaphat wanted to seek the Lord and pray with Him, and used fasting as a way to show his seriousness towards God and a way to focus his prayers.  We can do the same.  Jesus did not abolish fasting in any way in the New Testament.  In fact, He says in Matthew 6:16-18, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  Note that Jesus says… WHEN we fast… and not if.  It seems to be an eventual activity that He envisions us doing. 

In any event, perhaps if you find yourself struggling in prayer, perhaps fasting could be something to help.  If you find yourself in a dire situation and need to seek the Lord (like Jehoshaphat), perhaps fasting could be something to help.

Also, you could look up these additional Scriptures about fasting…

     Judges 20:24-28 = fasting as part of praying to the Lord
     1 Samuel 7:5-9 = fasting as part of confessing sins to God
     Ezra 8:20-23 = fasting as part of praying requests to God
     Luke 18:10-14 = fasting for no purpose achieves nothing
     Acts 13:1-3 = fasting when making decisions in the church
     Acts 14:21-23 = fasting when making decisions in the church    

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 02/27/07
Hebrews 10:22-25: “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

We are looking at drawing near to God.  Verse 23 talks about holding “unswervingly to hope” which connects us with a God that is worthy of our hope.  But the verses do not stop there.  How else can we draw near to God?  I find it very interesting that verses 24 and 25 speak of “others” when it comes to drawing near to God.
*  Consider how to spur one another on (verse 24)
*  Do not stop meeting together (verse 25)
*  Encourage one another (verse 25)

That is so strange!  We must realized that our Western view of Christianity (and certainly our American view) is one that is very individualistic.  We each have our own personal relationships with God and we each ourselves must draw near to God individually.  That sounds right to me… but it is awfully self-centered and individualistic.

We need to understand that we live in a community of faith.  The Apostle Paul tells us matter-of-factly in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it.”  We are not only individuals in the church, but we are part of each other.  If we seek to draw near to God, the Bible tells us that we should look to serving our fellow believers.  Verse 24 talks about encouraging each other in our spiritual walks and good deeds.  The church is a support system where we all draw to God together.  This is why in verse 25, he asks us not to forsake gathering together (yes, church attendance is important!).  If you don’t come to church, you can’t encourage others and be encouraged! 

The sense we get is that drawing near to God is not an individualistic task alone.  Drawing near to God is also a corporate activity where you need other Christians walking, singing, reading, studying, discussing, and helping you.  We need each other!

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 02/20/07
HEBREWS 10:22-25 CONTINUED…
How does one draw close to God?  Hebrews 10:22 tells us to “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.”  How do we do that… exactly?  We all want to be close to God.  We all want to have a close relationship with God.  The writer tells us that serving God and attending to the things of God (Bible study, prayer, evangelism, tithing, meditation, attending worship, etc) will draw us close to Him. 

The passage continues and gives us more.  Verse 23 tells us plainly, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  How does this draw us to God?  The best thing about the idea of holding onto hope (and drawing us close to God) is that Hebrews is not the only book that talks about this. 

Psalm 33:17-22 says, “A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”

Hoping in the Lord is putting faith in action and trusting Him. 

Hoping in the Lord is trusting in His strength and power and not trusting in ourselves or others.

Hoping in the Lord is relying on His promises and knowing He keeps His Word.

Hoping in the Lord focuses us on Him and away from ourselves or our sin or our situation.

God is worthy of our hope because He has never failed.  Hebrews 10:23 tells us that He is “faithful.”  God is completely faithful and has never failed in keeping any of His promises.  Psalm 33 tells us that God is unfailing.  God is certainly worthy of our hope and trust and focus.

Hoping in the Lord is a way of thinking.  It becomes a way of life… doesn’t it?  The Christian faith becomes more than something we ‘do’ on Sundays, but a way of thinking about life and approaching problems.  Hoping in the Lord means we make Him our help and shield (Psalm 33) and He is the one that calms the storms when they come. 

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 02/12/07
Hebrews 10:22-25: “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

What happens as a result of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice? 
What happens as a result of Jesus providing a way for a new relationship with God? 
What do we do in response to that?
How should we act?
What has God told us to do?

Here are some answers to these questions that the writer of Hebrews gave:

#1 Draw near to God (verse 22): The first question that comes to mind is how does one draw near to God?  Perhaps looking at other passages might help answer this:

* Ezekiel 40:45-46: “He said to me, "The room facing south is for the priests who have charge of the temple, and the room facing north is for the priests who have charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, who are the only Levites who may draw near to the LORD to minister before him.” 

So… how do we draw near to God?  I realize that this passage is more instructional about priests and such, but the passage does talk about those who are drawing near to God and they are doing it in a role of worship and ministering before Him.  This would mean that the person is coming to God with pure motives and mind and spirit.  We will be drawn near to God as we attend the things of God (Bible study, prayer, evangelism, tithing, meditation, attending worship, etc). 

The next passage in Hebrews 7 shows that placing hope in Jesus draws us to God as well.

*  Hebrews 7:18-19: “The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.”

The other verses in Hebrews 10 are quite specific (and we will dig further into them) about how one draws close to God…

#2  Hold unswervingly to hope (verse 23): 
#3  Consider how to spur one another on (verse 24)
#4  Do not stop meeting together (verse 25)
#5  Encourage one another (verse 25)
           

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 02/06/07
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,  20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,  21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,”

These verses detail what has changed for the New Testament Christian (now under a new covenant).  There is a reason the Bible is divided between the Old and the New.  Something significant has changed from the last verse of Malachi and the first verse of Matthew!  Because of Jesus Christ (the Great High Priest), we can enter the Most Holy Place. 

What is the Most Holy Place?  In the Tabernacle (first Old Testament place God was worshipped) and in the Temple, there was the innermost sanctuary that was called the Most Holy Place.  It was the place they kept the Ark of the Covenant.  It was the place that God showed His presence.  No one was allowed in… except once a year to offer sacrifices.  It was the most personal place to interact with God.  The entrance to the Most Holy Place was covered by a huge curtain (which you might remember was torn in two upon the death of Jesus… Mark 15:38)

Now… Jesus paved the new way of living with His life and death.  The curtain is tore in half and everyone can see inside!  Now people can have a personal relationship with God… which was all He wanted in the first place.  Now people can enjoy the presence of God on their own and “enter the Most Holy Place” on their own.  This was very different from Old Testament times!  Now we can have access to God through Jesus Christ!  The Divine now lives inside as the Holy Spirit. 

The believer does all of this with confidence.  That is the key word: confidence.  The new life which God ordained is a life filled with His power: have confidence in God and in Christ.

“Confidence”:

• Psalm 71:5: “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.”
              → “thou art my trust from my youth” (KJV)
• Proverbs 3:25-26: “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the     LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
• Ephesians 3:10-12: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should   be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
• 1 John 4:16-17: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.”

These verses have got to link back to the events immediately following Jesus’ final breath when the earth shook and the curtain in the Temple was torn in two.  Matthew 27:50-54 says, “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!”  So the death of Jesus opened the Holy of Holies in a figurative sense, but also in a literal sense.  The tearing of the curtain along with the other earthly reactions were all exclaiming the same as the centurion… this Man was God!

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 01/23/07
Hebrews 10:15-18: “The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:  16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”

Not only did Jesus Christ come, but when He left He left a Helper and Counselor with us.  This is the Holy Spirit.  In this passage, the Holy Spirit “testifies to us” that all this (verses 1-14) has happened and it has happened for us.  The key word in all this is “testify.”  The Greek word is very specific and means “to bear witness, testify, be a witness; attest, affirm, confirm; speak well of, or approve.”  The Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts that everything about Jesus Christ is Truth.  You could call this assurance of faith (John Wesley did).  The Spirit lets us know that we are in a new and restored covenant relationship with God and that our lives (governed by Him) are a fulfillment of the Scriptures.  God’s Will and desire are in us and we know them.  The Christian should be governed by it.  If all this is true… and it is… then the Christian person, filled with the Holy Spirit, is a forgiven creature.  The forgiveness takes place and then the person moves back into a right relationship with God.  Verse 17 tells us that God does not remember our sinful acts and verse 18 tells us that we have been forgiven!

As a side note, verse 16 is a quote from Jeremiah 31:33 in which God promises to Israel that a new covenant will be formed for the people.  God says that the old Law and covenant will pass away and He will make a new one that will be written on the hearts of the people.  The context of the verse is a prophecy from Jeremiah, but we see that it was fulfilled by Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit.    

What does this mean for me and for you?  This means that as Christians, we must let the Holy Spirit do the governing of our lives.  God has control.  We do not.  I must strive to live a spirit-filled life if I ever have any hope of being right with God.  You must strive for that as well.  I will sin… but if I have cultivated a life of holiness then the getting up and the getting back will be easier. 

Some disciplines and results of the Spirit-filled life:
(in no particular order)

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BORST BLOG FOR WEEK OF 01/15/07
Hebrews 10:5-14:  “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.  7 Then I said, 'Here I am-- it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.'"  8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made).  9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second.  10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.  13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
           
Verse 5 shows us that when Jesus Christ came into the world… He changed everything.  He turned the physical world and the spiritual world upside down!  And then Jesus Christ the Son of God came.  Jesus came and changed everything.  In fact, He came doing the will of God (verse 7) who wanted things to change.    

Jesus came and changed the rules (sort of) and established a new way of doing things.  Verse 9 tells us that the old system of sin and sacrifice was not really working.  It was a band-aid on a wound that needed so much more.  Jesus set aside the old ways of blood and sacrifice to make a new way. 

Jesus came and was/is the Great High Priest and was/is the ultimate sacrifice.  Jesus came to Earth to do God’s Will—to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).  It is God’s Will that all be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4).  And once a person is “saved,” what happens?  They are set aside for holiness (justification) and then begin the process of continually striving to be holy (sanctification) until the time they die and are with the Lord (glorification).  All of this was possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (the atonement).  His sinless life and voluntary death paved the way and were the payment for sin. 

So it seems, according to verse 14, that all those who have faith in Jesus Christ are a people who are continually being made holy (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15-16)!  What does that mean?  What is the process of sanctification like?  What does it mean to me and to you?  Verse 14 actually says “those who are being made holy.”  A follower of Christ is not always holy; this is impossible, but holiness is the starting place and hopefully it is the ending place.  The Christian cannot always be holy, but it is the aim.  It is the goal.  It is the desired place to be and the desired state of being.  The Christian’s heart, mind, body, and soul should always return to God no matter the circumstances of sin.  God is the beginning and end of life for the Christian.  Christians should strive to be holy because God is holy.  And it is always a process and is never final until that point in which the person is glorified in the presence of God. 

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Hebrews 10:1-4: “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.  2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.  3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,  4 because it for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

These verses begin to speak about “the Law.”  The Law can only point out sin.  It really can do nothing about sin at all… help us not to sin for example.  The mere fact that the bulls and goats had to be offered time after time proves that they were not a sin-removing sacrifice.  Guilt because of sin still remains.  All those sacrifices were “annual reminders of sin.”  The Law and the sacrifices it prescribed had no power over sin and removing it.  (See Hosea 6:1-11)

*  Hosea 6:1-11: “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.  2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.  3 Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."  4 "What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.  5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.  6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.  7 Like Adam, they have broken the covenant-- they were unfaithful to me there.  8 Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with footprints of blood.  9 As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes.  10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled.  11 "Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed.”

What is the goal of such sacrifices?  Why do them?  Verse 1 tells us that the goal is to be made “perfect.”  What does this word mean? 
“telios” (in the Greek): means “make perfect, perfect, make complete”; “to complete, finish, accomplish, end”; “to make mature; fulfill, make come true”

Not only does guilt remain, but ultimate consequences remain as well.  Is that true… about the ultimate eternal consequences?  All of those sacrifices, according to verse 3, are a reminder of those sins committed.  They just reminded the people time after time that they were a sinful people.  What we want though, is not to be reminded of our sin, but to be made perfect in God’s sight!  That is what we all want!  The goal is to “make one perfect” which means completeness and fulfillment.  Are we not all incomplete without Jesus Christ?  The answer of course is yes whether or not we choose to believe it.  Some things are true whether we acknowledge them or not.  There are spiritual laws that simply are true and they are true all the time.  One of them is that people are incomplete without Jesus Christ.

I realize that I jump to the conclusion of the matter, but Jesus solves all of this and any dilemma that is proposed.  I am only a shell of a person without Jesus Christ in my life… is that true for you as well?  My spirit is not whole without the Holy Spirit partnering with it.  I am reminded again and again what a wretch I am without Jesus… especially when we sing “Amazing Grace” together.  I am powerless over sin without Jesus. 

What would I have thought if I were a Jew?  I think I honestly would have felt justified before God because I had fulfilled the requirements that God set forth.  God instituted the sacrifices (see Leviticus and other such related books).  God set the types of sacrifices and reasons and times.  I can certainly see what I might be confused as a Jew… about the need for Jesus and His sacrifice.  Yet, these verses share that the blood of animals was not getting the job done, just postponing the inevitable. 

I also notice the word ‘impossible’ (used 13 times in the OT & NT) when it comes to the ability for bulls and goats to do anything.  That is a word with much finality attached to it.  Most things that are completely impossible rarely become possible.  The first verse calls it a shadow.  A shadow can never become a real person… it is impossible, but it does emulate the real thing.  I suppose the sacrifices emulated the real thing and showed as an example until the True Sacrifice came along.  And that True Sacrifice is Jesus Christ (which verse 5 will tell us about!)

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