A Collection of Texts

I have before me a collection of 23 verses of scripture. They were chosen not according to a scheme of study but by one arbitrary criterion. So they do not refer to the uses of a particular Greek word, or pursue a topical theme, or follow a line of references, or research a line of teaching. They were collected together as a kind of experiment, which could lead to a random mixture of thoughts. However, arranging them in order may have interesting results. Let us see.

The first is not very promising. "Ruin and misery are in their paths." This is Paul in Romans, quoting from Isaiah 59.7, to show that all mankind, his own people not excluded, are 'under sin'. We can easily think of parts of the world today which back up this claim.

The second is not much better. This is Jude, describing professing believers who take part in the wickedness of the world around them: "These are grumblers and malcontents; they indulge their own lusts; they are bombastic in speech, flattering people to their own advantage."

James, in the third, is thinking of the good life, and how wise it is to be gentle. But he is also aware of the alternative: "For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind." It is not only the love of money but raw human emotions which lead to all kinds of evil.

The fourth comes from Revelation, and is no reassurance to us. To be acceptable to God it is not sufficient to damp down wrong thoughts, He requires us to be positive. "So because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth." A graphic picture of rejection, based on the nauseating water of the hot mineral springs near Laodicea.

It is unsafe to rely only on being part of the group we belong to, whether it is a church or a holy nation. Moses led a 'holy' people, God's people, and consider what happened to them. Because of their faithlessness, their failure to trust, to obey, a complete generation failed to reach the promised land. As Hebrews expounds the situation, they were all in the same state: "Now who were they who heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses?"

The Jewish people, in general, remained blind. They were given God's law, and heard it read, but there was a veil over their minds, states Paul (2 Corinthians). Individually, there was the possibility of turning to God. "But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." God respects reverence and faith, it is not pointless to believe. Malachi states "Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name."

The seventh text, in Galatians, traces the promise made to Abraham so long ago, which underlay the experience of his descendants. Many of them expected their nation to be used by God, but the blessing of the nations in fact comes through one person: "Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say 'and to offsprings' as of many; but it says 'And to your offspring', that is, to one person, who is Christ."

Texts eight to twelve are a group which speak of the Christ. John the Baptist is recorded by Luke: "John answered all of them by saying, 'I baptise you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'" In Matthew, Jesus the Christ is revealed: "And when Jesus had been baptised, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." What was happening? John explains "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

As Jesus sets about his mission, He chooses the twelve to assist him. Mark: "So he appointed the twelve: Simon ((to whom he gave the name Peter)...." And the power of Jesus is evident through those who believe, beyond Calvary, beyond Easter Day, beyond His departure into heaven... In Acts we find, "And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all." So spoke Peter when the man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple had been healed.

The power and purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ shines in the life of the early church, and is evident in the epistles. As Paul told the Christians at Corinth, they themselves were the place where God dwells by His Spirit. "Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" And as the Spirit dwells in them, so does Christ's word, resulting in a life overflowing with joy, wisdom and gratitude (Colossians): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God." It is an inner strengthening, Paul told the saints at Ephesus, with all God's glory and power. "I pray that according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit." Not that this can be taken for granted: "Only let us hold fast to what we have attained" (Philippians).

There will be opposition, says Peter in his first letter, and this requires a gentle approach from those who are facing it: "Yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear so that when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame."

Above all, says John, we must love, with sacrificial love, like Christ's love. "We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us - and we ought to lay down our lives for one another." And along with the struggle and the sacrifice, comes peace from God. What more could we hope for (2 Thessalonians)? "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways. The Lord be with all of you."

Besides this essential quality of inner life, there is need for teaching, study and training to supplement it. One should not neglect the importance of Scripture, Paul told Timothy: "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness." Peter appreciated that effort is required to understand what is being said to us in scripture and to apply it aright, including Paul's letters "speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures."

To help in the process of remembering and teaching others, we find in scripture sayings such as that which Paul quoted to Timothy, which encapsulates salient truths about our Lord.

"Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great. He was revealed in flesh - vindicated in spirit - seen by angels - proclaimed among Gentiles - believed in throughout the world - taken up in glory."

These 23 texts, which when placed together tell us so much, came to my attention when I noticed that some of the best known among them shared the same chapter and verse reference. Were there any others having this reference which were equally significant? Each one of the above texts is in fact to be found in the third chapter of the book concerned. Also at the sixteenth verse. What a glorious coincidence!

GC