June 20

After his greeting in 2 Thessalonians 1, Paul says that he ought to always give thanks for the church at Thessalonica. Behind the word ought is a word that conveys much more than what it seems. The Greek word conveys an obligation. (2 Thessalonians 1:3) He says that it is fitting to thank God for this church. Paul says that he is always obligated to give thanks for them. Not just occasionally, but always.

He also says that the faith and love of the church are increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3) But not just a little, but he says their faith is flourishing and increasing exceedingly beyond measure. Paul also says that their love is significantly increasing more than enough. These are direct answers to prayer that Paul prayed for (1 Thessalonians 3:10; 12).

Paul says that he boasts about them among other churches. (2 Thessalonians 1:4) Elsewhere, (1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17) Elsewhere, Paul says that if anyone boasts, they should boast in the Lord. So, Paul is saying here that he boasts about what God is doing among them. The Thessalonians are “doing the deal”. And they’re doing it well. They are an example for all believers to follow.

Paul then turns to the difficulties that the church is facing. In nine verses (2 Thessalonians 1:4–12) he uses the words affliction, suffering, or persecution six times. And when Paul speaks of the church persevering and enduring, he uses a Greek word which means to “remain under”. It is the “capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances.”^[1]

This church is successfully enduring hardships. So, is it possible for anyone to read through this section of the Bible and believe the pablum of the Prosperity Gospel? In other words, is it possible to read these verses and honestly say that God promises that believers should only expect – and experience – success and happiness? Are the Prosperity teachers reading the same Bible? It’s important that we read the Bible in its context – its entire context to adequately understand and apply it. It’s difficult statements like these that encourage us when we endure hardship and persecution.

Application

Obligated. How often do you feel obligated to give thanks for someone? Specifically, how often do you feel obligated to thank God for your church? And not just occasionally, but all of the time.

^[1] Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, Electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., vol. 1, United Bible Societies, 1996, p. 307.

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March 22

Misreading Mark 10:23–41 can lead to dangerous applications of God’s Word. In this section, Jesus addressed possessions and the Kingdom of God.

He told a rich man that in order to enter heaven, he needed to sell all of his possessions and give to the poor. The reason he should do this, the Scripture says, is that “he had many possessions.” One could argue that it wasn’t so much that he had many possessions, but that many possessions had him! The conversation revealed his heart was set on material possessions, instead of God and His Kingdom. (Matthew 6:31–34)

One cannot find a single prohibition of material things anywhere in the Bible. However, Jesus highlights the difficulty of keeping the proper perspective on material goods in Mark 10:23–25. He says it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the Kingdom of God. (v. 25)

You may have heard something about a location in Israel called “the eye of the needle,” where camels would have to crawl on their knees to pass through. Spoiler Alert: There is no such place. It might be just a convenient “preacher’s story” once used to make a sermon point, but it’s neither historical nor archeological reality. Let’s stick with the truth of Scripture, instead.

Though there’s no prohibition to having “stuff”, stuff can easily distract us from seeking God’s Kingdom and righteousness as our first priority. (Matthew 6:33)

The first dangerous application of misreading Mark 10:23–41 is requiring ascetic rejection of all possessions, calling it an act of “living by faith.” Not only would such an act be unwise, the Bible never commands—or even encourages—us to do this. Applying the passage to our lives is one thing, but insisting that others do the same is even more dangerous as it now becomes a matter of one’s subjective view and experience versus a simple and plain reading of Scripture.

The only thing that gives anyone—at any time—a right standing before God is the blood-bought grace of Jesus. And, His grace empowers us to live godly lives. (Titus 2:11–13)

The second dangerous misreading and misapplication of Mark 10:23–41 is cherry-picking parts of Mark 10:29–30 from their immediate context, thinking that giving up some material things in this life will guarantee other material things in this life. What do I mean?

Jesus says, “There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and field.” Or does He?

Note that in quoting verse 30 I did not complete Jesus’ sentence! The rest of the verse adds “with persecutions—and eternal life in the age to come.” Elsewhere, Jesus promises, “You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33, CSB)

Application

Several years ago, in a sermon I said that the Bible doesn’t promise a “rose garden theology”—where believers abide in a constant state of prosperity. I said, “Rose garden theology doesn’t work.” Then, out of the blue, I added, “Unless you accept the thorns.” I immediately heard a more profound thought and said, “No, rose garden theology doesn’t work unless you embrace the thorns.”

This fits perfectly with something Job said. You know, Job, the man who had a lot and lost it all. He wisely noted, “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” (Job 2:10)

Before leaping to interpretations that please our base-level desires, we need to step back and ask the key question: “Is this really what this passage says?” In other words, read the passage. Read the verses leading up to the passage. Then, read the verses after the passage. Simply noting the context of a biblical passage can help us avoid a a majority of theological problems and, even worse, their bad life applications!

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James doesn’t mince words about suffering. He is clear that there is no shortcut to spiritual maturity.

He begins his book by urging his readers to rejoice whenever they experience trials. And he concludes his book with today’s Bible reading, urging his readers to be patient in suffering. (James 5:7-11)

He fills in the gaps about suffering in between. In fact, James never refers to suffering and trials as a remote possibility. He always refers to it as a given. One can only wonder how the Prosperity Gospel flourishes, given the enormous weight of consistent Biblical teaching against it.

In Western Society, we don’t like to wait. The coming modern conveniences promoted in commercials in the 1950s only left us cramming more into our days, rather than the promises they made that life would be easier and we would have more free time. I’m still waiting for that.

Take the microwave oven, for example. With a microwave oven, you can boil water in a matter of three minutes and make a nice glass of good Southern Sweet Iced Tea in half the time compared to boiling water and steeping your tea on a cooktop. But how often have you impatiently screamed at your microwave oven, “Hurry!”? Personally, I’d rather not answer that question!

Application

James seems to indicate that suffering produces patience. And you won’t gain patience without having to wait, oftentimes experiencing some level of discomfort or suffering. Is it any wonder why some Bible translations use the word longsuffering instead of patience?

The bottom line is that there is no shortcut to maturity in the Christian life. Enduring hardship develops patience and other positive character qualities. So take James at his word when he tells you to rejoice whenever you encounter various trials. (James 1:2-4)

Trust that God will use those trials for your good: That you would become more like Jesus. (Romans 8:28-29)

This devotional was originally published on April 3, 2020.

* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
– James 1
– James 2
– James 3
– James 4
– James 5

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Today’s Bible reading, includes Peter’s familiar confession of Jesus’ divinity (“You are the Christ”) and Jesus’ statement, “You are Peter and on this rock, I will build my church.”

Jesus and His Disciples entered Caesarea Philippi, He asked them who people thought He was. They replied that some people thought He was John the Baptizer, Jeremiah, or Elijah.

Next, He asks, “Who do you think I am?” Simon immediately responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus praises Simon’s response and says that he couldn’t have come up with this on his own. The truth of that response was imparted by God. Jesus doesn’t tell us how God told Simon this awesome truth, only that He did. (Matthew 16:17)

Next, Jesus says that He’s changing Simon’s name to Peter (rock) and that He would build His church on this rock. Now, it’s important to note the different Greek words used in Jesus’ statement; otherwise, we’ll make the error that the Roman Catholic Church has made in attributing to Peter the title of the First Pope.

You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.
Matthew 16:18 (CSB)

Actually, Jesus says, “You are a rock. And on this boulder, I will build my church.” What was the boulder? The boulder was Simon’s confession of Jesus’ Divinity. Jesus says that He would build His church on the confession that Jesus is God’s Anointed Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Jesus never said He would build His church on Peter — or any other person, for that matter! Instead, Jesus promised that His church — built on the confession of Jesus’ divinity — would prevail against the gates of hell.

And just seconds later, when Jesus told the Disciples that He would suffer and die. Simon rebuked Jesus, saying that He shouldn’t have to go to the cross. Jesus responds, “Get behind me, Satan for you are not setting your eyes on God, but man.” (Matthew 16:23)

Within a few seconds, Peter goes from being the toast of the party to being cursed like the devil. And the only thing that changed was Peter’s mindset.

Application

All of the Disciples may have thought the same thing, but as often was the case, Simon was the only one who spoke up. They were ready to reign with Jesus in Jerusalem as He overthrew the Roman occupiers. They were willing to fight to keep Jesus from going to the cross and dying.

Or so they thought.

They thought that Jesus’ ascent to Kingship over Israel would come easily. They rejected the suggestion that Jesus would have to suffer. And die.

How true is that for Jesus’ Disciples today? How many of us follow Jesus, thinking that He’ll just bless us with everything we could ever want? And the first time we hear anything about suffering?! What’s up with that?

But suffering and persecution are a part of following Jesus. Along the way, we have to give up a lot of idols — some of which we don’t know we even have — in order to follow Him more closely and walk into the destiny He is calling us.

But every idol we reject and every point of suffering and persecution is worth the all-surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:8) Not His blessings that come from His hand, but Himself, Who He is.

Do you know Him?

This devotional was edited from another devotional, originally published on April 25, 2020.

* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
– Matthew 16
– Mark 8:11-38
– Mark 9:1
– Luke 9:18-27

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In today’s Bible reading* (Psalm 106:5) we read of a different kind of prosperity than the Prosperity Gospel peddlers talk about.

Important note: Before I go any further, please hear me clearly say that all of the modern translations are very reliable. The English translation you hold in your hands (or read on your computer or on your mobile device) is as much the Word of God as any other. Please remember that because it is a translation, translators sometimes make interpretive decisions that aren’t the most fitting. That’s why I recommend, if possible, that you use several translations on questionable issues.

I compared several modern translations, and most translated the word in question as prosperity. However, the Lexham English Bible actually conveys the Hebrew word as good. The New English Translation footnotes the Hebrew word good. The New King James translates the word as benefit.

The word in question in verse five is the same word used to describe God in Psalm 106:1, “Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good …” (CSB)

Application

Unfortunately, most of the modern translations use the word prosperity. It connotes financial prosperity. However, I could only find limited references to material blessings in the Hebrew lexicons (dictionaries) that I consulted. One lexicon says, “‘Good’ is used in respect to a wide variety of abstract perspectives.”[1]

Paul told his readers that because their position is in the heavenly places, they should seek heavenly things. (Colossians 3:1)

I’m not saying that God will never give material blessings. He sometimes does. And when He does, He does so, so that His people can be a blessing to others. It’s important to remember that no one will take material blessings with them into the life to come. Everything will be left behind.

Notes:
[1] Bowling, Andrew. “793 טוֹב.” Ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament 1999 : 345. Print.

* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
– Psalms 106
– John 1:4-14

This devotional was originally published on October 2, 2021.

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