Rajesh

Should Certain Christians Be Far Better Than Everyone Else Is in Their Realm of Expertise?

November 28, 2014

Daniel 1 recounts the fascinating account of what Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah experienced after they were forcibly taken into captivity in Babylon. Every time that I read this passage, I am struck by how the passage ends by relating the incredible superiority of these four youth—“In all matters of wisdom and understanding, that [King Nebuchadnezzar] inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm” (Dan. 1:20)!

Unlike all my previous reading of this passage, this time I discovered that even their tenfold superiority is highlighted in a striking way in the passage. Moreover, I found myself thinking all the more about the current ramifications of this highlighting of their superiority.

A Remarkable Emphasis in Scripture on the Superiority of Certain Believers

Several features of Daniel 1 combine to provide us with a passage that emphasizes highly the superiority of four young believers. Noting them reveals that the Holy Spirit has emphasized that reality in a remarkable way.

Their Uncommon Excellence Prior to Being Taken Captive

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were among a group of uncommonly distinguished youth:

Dan 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Beyond being physically attractive, they all were highly intelligent and capable young men who had an aptitude for learning what was necessary to “stand before the king” (Dan. 1:5).

Their Distinctive Excellence in Their First Three Years of Captivity

Unlike their peers, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were so highly devoted to their God that they remained true to Him in the face of great spiritual adversity that they faced in their first three years of captivity (Dan. 1:5-16). God uniquely favored them (Dan. 1:9) so that they did not defile themselves during this time, as all the others did, and after their initial period of facing a difficult spiritual challenge, they all were “fairer and fatter in flesh” than all their peers were (Dan. 1:15).

Moreover, God gave them “knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams” (Dan. 1:17). These four men were thus divinely enabled to excel in everything that they were taught at this time, and Daniel was given unique ability that the other three were not.

The Extraordinary Extent of Their Superiority after Three Years of Captivity

At the end of the first three years of the captivity, the king found these men to be uniquely excellent (Dan. 1:18-20). In fact, he found them to be ten times better than everyone else was:

Dan 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Furthermore, through noting the sevenfold repetition of the word all in Daniel 1:15-20 in statements referring to the distinctive excellence of Daniel and his three friends, we learn that the Holy Spirit has underscored their tenfold superiority all the more:

Dan 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

Dan 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Dan 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

Dan 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

The various features of this passage that we have looked clearly bring out a remarkable emphasis on their superiority.

Points to Ponder

One wonders what specifically the full extent of their excellence entailed for them to have been ten times better in every matter of wisdom and understanding than all of Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men in all of his vast kingdom! In addition, based on this passage, should certain Christians today be far better than anyone else is in their realm of expertise?

I hope to explore this matter further in a future post. In the meantime, I would love to hear from you what you think about this subject.

In Exposition, Interpretation

Six Principles for Deciding Christian Liberty Issues

November 23, 2014

In his message tonight, Pastor Mark Minnick first rehearsed six principles that 1 Corinthians 8-10 provides us with for deciding Christian liberty issues.

1. Christian liberty issues concern matters that are not actually stipulated or specified in Scripture.

2. Nevertheless, they are Scriptural issues because there are Scriptural considerations that apply to these matters about which there is not explicit teaching.

3. These issues, therefore, are significant—they are not inconsequential.

4. The answers to these issues are not always short.

5. The answers to these issues are not always simple.

6. The answers to these issues are not always the same.

He then exposited 1 Corinthians 10:28-30 at some length to explain how the answers to these issues are not always the same. I highly commend his message Abstaining to you.

In Mount Calvary Baptist Pulpit

¡Alabado sea Dios!

November 23, 2014

Comencé este año con la meta de leer toda la Biblia en español este año. Por la gracia de Dios, esta mañana he terminado de leer toda la Biblia en español para este año. ¡Alabado sea Dios!

In Bible reading, Spanish, Testimony

94 Chapters To Go!

November 19, 2014

I have only 94 more chapters to read in the Reina Valera this year to finish reading through the whole Bible in Spanish this year! Praise the Lord!

In Bible reading, Spanish

Does God Hold People Responsible for Not Following in the Ways of Imperfect Men?

November 14, 2014

You have probably heard someone say something along the lines of the following: “I am not a follower of any man; I am a follower of Jesus.” Is this what God expects every believer to think and do?

A remarkable passage in 2 Chronicles 21 instructs us that this pious sounding sentiment is actually a seriously erroneous approach to the Christian life. This passage does so by revealing a profound truth of what God expects from people concerning their following the examples of other people.

A Profound Truth from God’s Rebuke of King Jehoram

King Jehoram was the son of godly king Jehoshaphat of Judah (2 Chron. 21:1). Jehoram was a very wicked king who sinned greatly against the Lord (2 Chron. 21:4-11).

Through a writing from the prophet Elijah to Jehoram, God declared to him,

2Ch 21:12 Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

¹³ But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father’s house, which were better than thyself:

¹⁴ Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:

¹⁵ And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

God rebuked Jehoram for not walking in the ways of his father Jehoshaphat and in the ways of his grandfather Asa (2 Chron. 21:12). Yet both of these men were imperfect men who sinned in the sight of God (Asa [2 Chron. 16:7-10; 12]; Jehoshaphat [2 Chron. 19:2; 20:35-37]).

God thus rebuked Jehoram for not walking in the ways of two imperfect men! We might have expected God to rebuke him by having Elijah write to him about how he had sinned by not walking in the ways of the Lord, but that is not what God did!

New Testament Confirmation of This Profound Truth

From 2 Chronicles 21:12, we have seen that God required that Jehoram would walk in the righteous ways of two of his godly but imperfect predecessors. The New Testament confirms the teaching that God demands that His people follow in the righteous ways of imperfect men.

Paul repeatedly commands believers to be followers of him:

1Co 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Phi 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

He also commends them when they have been faithful to do so (1 Thess. 1:6; 2:14; 2 Thess. 3:7, 9). These same statements also reveal that Paul repeatedly spoke of believers following not just him but also others who were godly:

1Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1Th 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

2Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

⁹ Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

The writer of Hebrews similarly commends and commands believers to be followers of other believers:

Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Because Paul and all the others whom these New Testament statements commend to believers as people whom we are to follow were imperfect men, it is clear that God wants us to follow in the righteous ways of imperfect men!

Conclusion

Passages in both Testaments (2 Chron. 21:12; 2 Thess. 3:7) teach us that God does expect us to walk in the righteous ways of imperfect men whom He has allowed us to have the privilege of observing, knowing, and being influenced by.[1] If we fail to do so, God will hold us responsible for not walking in their ways.

We must not say that we are followers only of Jesus. God has called us also to be followers of the righteous ways of the good but imperfect people in our lives who as followers of Christ themselves have walked in His righteous ways.

[1] Many other verses in the Old Testament point to the same truth: 1 Sam. 8:3; 1 Ki. 8:25; 9:4; 11:33; 14:8; 2 Ki. 22:2; 2 Chr. 6:16; 7:17; 11:17; 17:3; 20:32; 34:2

In Discipleship, Exposition, Theology

¡Un nuevo himno para los niños!

November 10, 2014

Recientemente, escribí un nuevo himno para los niños! Que Dios usarlo en gran medida para su gloria.

Padre quiero amarte

Padre, quiero amarte, sólo tú eres Dios.
Sólo tú eres digno de mi devoción.
Padre, cómo quiero ser más como Tú.
Por tu gracia me das esta bendición.

Padre, quiero amarte por tu gran bondad.
Sólo tú mereces mi adoración.
Padre, cómo quiero ser más como Tú.
Por amor a Ti escucha mi oración.

Padre, quiero amarte y agradarte a Ti.
Sólo tú mereces mi veneración.
Padre, cómo quiero ser más como Tú.
Por favor concede esta petición.

You may use this song in a ministry context provided you do not change any of the words and you provide copyright information to anyone whom you distribute it to. Please contact me for any other use of the song.

Escuchar la melodía de este himno:

In Guitar Music, Spanish

Under 200 Chapters to Go to Finish the Reina Valera!

November 6, 2014

I praise God that I now have under 200 chapters left to finish reading the Reina Valera this year!

In Bible reading, Spanish

How the Chief Function of Civil Government Should Influence Our Choices in Tomorrow’s Elections

November 3, 2014

The results of the elections tomorrow will surely go a long way in playing a major role in the future of our country. With that reality in mind, every Christian needs to remind himself of what Scripture teaches is the chief function of civil government and then let that truth guide his decisions about what he chooses to do tomorrow.

The Clear Teaching of the Premier Passage in Scripture about Civil Government

Romans 13 is the premier passage in Scripture about civil government. God plainly provides us with instruction about the chief function of civil government through the first seven verses of this chapter:

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

⁵ Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

⁶ For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

⁷ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

These verses emphasize that civil government has the vital God-ordained function of being God’s judicial agent (“no power but of God” [13:1]; “ordained of God” [13:1]; “the ordinance of God” [13:2]; “the minister of God” [13:4; 2x]; “God’s ministers” [13:6]) for the punishment of the wicked and for the praise of the righteous (13:3, 4). Other NT revelation confirms that this is the premier function of civil government (cf. 1 Pet. 2:13-14).

Romans 13:1-7 and Decision Making in Tomorrow’s Elections

Based on the divinely ordained chief role of civil authority, we as believers must reject false views about what comprises good government. Contrary to the assertions of various entities, good government is not chiefly to concern itself with providing economic prosperity, adequate healthcare, educational opportunity, etc.

Rather, good government from divine viewpoint is government that foremost promotes God’s righteousness and opposes all unrighteousness. Although properly exercising this chief function will have a profound salutary result on economic and other social concerns, governmental officials must seek to fear God and promote the fear of God and the keeping of His commandments among its citizens (Eccl. 12:13-14) above all these lesser concerns.

Given the clear teaching of Scripture about the chief role of governmental authority, we as believers must base our decisions about what we choose to do in tomorrow’s elections so that our choices will best promote righteousness in our country and oppose all unrighteousness. May God have mercy on us all in tomorrow’s elections and raise up righteous leadership in our country at every level of government and may He grant us all wisdom to know what role He wants us to play in our seeking to secure godly government throughout our land.

In Exhortation, Interpretation, Theology

“Church Music That Is Worship”: Message by Pastor Mark Minnick

November 2, 2014

In his first message about music and public worship, Pastor Mark Minnick this morning addressed the key question, “What is the role of music in public worship?” He based his treatment of this crucial question on two key New Testament passages: Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:16.

In treating these passages, he remarked,

Both passages direct us to sing psalms, which directs us back to the Old Testament. We must be careful of thinking about our subject not to make a great distinction between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

He then took us through First Chronicles 25:1-7 to establish that those who directed the worship in the Temple prophesied through the music. Based on this data, he developed six key aspects that this passage teaches us about the role of music in public worship:

1. They were prophesying instrumentally

2. They were prophesying chorally, that is, through singing with musical accompaniment

3. Those who prophesied had a high level of musicianship

4. The prophesying was done in large numbers

5. All of the prophesying was done under the direction of mature spiritual leadership

6. Giving thanks and praising the Lord comprised the content of this prophesying

I highly commend this message to you as one of the finest treatments of this subject that I have ever heard. By listening to this message here, you will avail yourself with profoundly valuable biblical truth about the role of music in public worship!

In Mount Calvary Baptist Pulpit, Music, Theology

Why Psalm 40:1-3 Does Not Justify Using CCM to Evangelize Lost People

October 30, 2014

I have been closely following another lengthy online discussion about CCM. One participant in this discussion recently asserted that Psalm 40 justifies using CCM to evangelize lost people. He wrote,

The “new song” which God puts in our hearts may very well change with each generation. You have no right to determine subjectively what that means. You certainly have the right to hold to your position on music as preference, but if God has given us a “new song” which “many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord,” it destroys one of the key IFB arguments against CCM–“Music is never used for evangelism, only for edification.” With each generation, God has given a new song to communicate His truth to this generation. The style may not speak to the spirit of my heart, but it will speak to the heart of someone else who needs the message of the Gospel. I have no right to put God into a box and tell him He cannot use a certain style of music.[1]

A close look at two key aspects of the beginning verses of Psalm 40 shows why this argument is erroneous.[2]

The Identity of the Person Giving Testimony in Psalm 40:1-3

Psalm 40 begins with the following testimony:

Psa 40:1 <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

² He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

³ And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

From these verses, we know for certain that king David is the one who is giving this testimony.

Is this, then, an evangelistic testimony of how he became a true believer in the Lord or is it something other than that? Answering this question properly requires that we closely examine the precise nature of his testimony in these statements.

The Nature of the Testimony Given in Psalm 40:1-3

David begins by declaring, “I waited patiently for the Lord” (Ps. 40:1a). He then affirms how the Lord inclined Himself to David and heard his prayer (Ps. 40:1b-c).

Scripture never affirms that any unbeliever waits patiently for the Lord; in fact, they have turned away from Him and do not on their own want anything to do with Him (Cf. Rom. 3:10-18). The opening statement in Psalm 40, therefore, makes plain that this is not an evangelistic testimony that David gave about how he was saved—David is testifying of what he did as a true believer in the Lord and of the Lord’s response to him!

Not only is verse one therefore not an evangelistic testimony but also verses two and three therefore are also not verses relating David’s giving an evangelistic testimony; rather, they are his testimony as a believer of how God delivered him out of dire straits and filled his heart with a new song of grateful praise for His delivering him as a believer. This analysis shows that the reference to a “new song” in Psalm 40:3 does not have anything to do with giving lost people the gospel in song so that they will come to be true believers in the Lord.

Conclusion

Contrary to the confident assertions cited at the beginning of this post, the teaching about the “new song” in Psalm 40 does not provide any evidence that “destroys one of the key IFB arguments against CCM—‘Music is never used for evangelism, only for edification.’” A sound handling of Psalm 40:1-3 shows that it does not have anything to do with evangelizing lost people using a new song.

Psalm 40:1-3 does not justify using CCM to evangelize lost people. Those who believe that it is legitimate to use CCM to give the gospel to lost people cannot use this passage legitimately to support their view.

[1] Comment posted on October 14 at 10:08pm in the discussion, “The Sacred Cow” of CCM! 2-Part Discussion Question:”; https://www.facebook.com/groups/319245621580408/permalink/331652423673061/

[2] I am indebted to my pastor, Dr. Mark Minnick, for how his treatment of this passage in a message helped greatly to provide me with this proper understanding of the true nature of the testimony given in Psalm 40:1-3.

For more help with issues concerning CCM, please see the resources that I provide here.

In CCM, Interpretation

Archives For rajesh

A Remarkable Emphasis in Scripture on the Superiority of Certain Believers

Their Uncommon Excellence Prior to Being Taken Captive

Their Distinctive Excellence in Their First Three Years of Captivity

The Extraordinary Extent of Their Superiority after Three Years of Captivity

Points to Ponder

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A Profound Truth from God’s Rebuke of King Jehoram

New Testament Confirmation of This Profound Truth

Conclusion

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The Clear Teaching of the Premier Passage in Scripture about Civil Government

Romans 13:1-7 and Decision Making in Tomorrow’s Elections

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The Identity of the Person Giving Testimony in Psalm 40:1-3

The Nature of the Testimony Given in Psalm 40:1-3

Conclusion

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