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Does God Care How Healthy Your Lifestyle Is?

February 20, 2014

Scripture teaches that the proper reception of the words of God is to those who so receive them “health to all their body”:

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh (Prov. 4:20-22).

This amazing verse teaches infallibly that the health of a person’s entire physical body is affected by that person’s relationship to the Word of God. Thus, from the mind of the only wise God, we know that His Word is salutary for the physical health of the entire body! How brightly does the care of God for the comprehensive well-being of His own shine forth from this marvelous text!

When we consider that our present earthly bodies are corrupted by sin and will some day either be destroyed or be changed (at the Rapture), why does God even bother to speak in such terms about the health of this transient body? Such a statement probably seems at odds to the notions of those who espouse the view that health is just not that important of a spiritual or Scriptural issue.

Seemingly supporting that notion that only limited concern for the welfare of the physical body is appropriate is a Scriptural statement about the lowly belly (stomach, NASB):

“Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body” (1 Cor. 6:13).

In this verse, God explicitly says that He will some day destroy both the belly and the foods that go into it. Reasoning along the same lines, how many have concluded that the present earthly body in all its parts is not much more than something to be put up with until we get our glorified bodies?

Does God concur with such thinking? How would we know? Incredibly, under inspiration, Scripture records God’s concern for the stomach[1] of a minister: “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Tim 5:23)!

Understanding the Power of First Timothy 5:23 Properly

Many do not appreciate the power of 1 Timothy 5:23, and a proper understanding requires a brief rehearsal of the nature of Scripture. Scripture teaches about itself that the will of man was not at all involved in its origination. Everything that is in the Bible is there by the will of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21). Scripture also teaches about itself that all Scripture was breathed out by God and is profitable for us to be righteous before God (2 Tim. 3:15-17).

Scripture teaches us what we need to know and do for the salvation of our souls. It also teaches us what we need to know, do, and be in every aspect of our lives so that we would fulfill all of our obligations to God and man.

Paul wrote to Timothy to teach him how he should conduct himself in the church:

“These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim 3:14, 15).

Thus, this pastoral Epistle specifically teaches how a minister should carry out his ministry.

For us to understand the importance of 1 Timothy 5:23 properly, we must keep in mind that not one verse of this book is human thinking about proper ministry. Every verse teaches us what God has to say about ministry in the church.

That being the case, Paul’s statement to Timothy in 5:23 is striking. Under inspiration of God, Paul authoritatively directs Timothy, the pastor of the church in Ephesus, concerning his health, including the welfare of his stomach![2]

Paul relates that Timothy had a stomach problem and was frequently ill. Significantly, Paul does not merely note Timothy’s health problems—he commands Timothy to change his lifestyle for the sake of these health problems.

Specifically, Paul directs him no longer to continue drinking only water, but also to drink a little wine. That the purpose of this authoritative direction is clearly for the betterment of his health is plain from the words “for thy stomach’s sake“ (cf. NASB, “for the sake of your stomach”).

Thus, in this one verse of Scripture, God has recorded for all time in His eternal Word His mind concerning the physical well-being of the pastor of a church. He has also given us clear teaching about pastoral ministry from the example of how Paul ministered to his son in the faith, Timothy. Moreover, God has also plainly revealed his mind concerning changing our lifestyles for the sake of our health.

The Great Contemporary Importance of First Timothy 5:23

Were this one verse[3] of Scripture (1 Tim. 5:23) to be taken seriously, the health of many multiplied thousands of believing people would surely be greatly improved. If it be objected that applying this teaching to our lives should not be taken seriously merely because of the reference to wine, let us consider how many even today use medications with significant alcohol content, such as Ny-Quil and cough syrups, for the sake of their health, and without any apparent qualms concerning the propriety of such medicinal use of alcohol.[4]

Amazingly, God has recorded in His word that is forever settled in heaven His care for the stomach of a minister, a stomach that God Himself destroyed at the death of Timothy. This verse is not at all surprising if we take care to keep in mind the mind of God revealed in Proverbs 4:20-22. The God who spoke in Proverbs 4 of that which was “health” to the entire body is the same One who gloriously demonstrated His interest in such comprehensive well-being of His people by recording in 1 Timothy 5 one minister authoritatively confronting another concerning his health.

The God who inspired both Proverbs 4:20-22 and 1 Timothy 5:23 is the same God who also stated to His own, as encouragement for them not to fear, that His care for them extends even to every hair on their heads: “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:30, 31). Such care for the health of those whom God is watching over shines forth especially from Acts 27:34: “Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you” (cf. 27:24- 25, which indicates clearly the hand of God in the situation).

Thus, Scripture indicates the astonishing care of God for the health of His own. Yes, He cares for the health of the believer’s whole body, even his stomach, even for every hair, which all are destined for destruction; shouldn’t we likewise care for the health of our entire body?

Plainly, we should be concerned for the comprehensive well-being of the people of God. Like Paul did with Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, ministers must minister to the people of God appropriate authoritative direction to change their lifestyles for the sake of their health.

Significantly, the terseness of the teaching in 1 Timothy 5:23 wonderfully suggests that why a person is in ill-health need not even be mentioned or perhaps even known for it to be appropriate for them to be exhorted concerning their health. Regardless of whether someone has health difficulties because of heredity, or as the result of accident or injury, or from unhealthy lifestyle, or from some other cause, 1 Timothy 5:23 still applies. If a believer’s health could be helped through some appropriate lifestyle intervention,[5] Scripture here strongly shows that they should do so for the sake of their health.

Interestingly, the specific teaching of 1 Timothy 5:23—that of no longer continuing in merely doing what one has been doing to date, but adding a practice to the life that would help one’s health—is exactly so often what is needed for the effective treatment of many health problems, especially lifestyle-related ones. Many who are suffering from ill health are doing so because of the omission of one or more of the well-established health-promoting lifestyle practices. Scripture indicates plainly in 1 Timothy 5:23 what is to be done in such cases—add to one’s life the health-promoting practices that up to this point have not been engaged in properly in the life!

Moreover, the teaching of 1 Timothy 5:23 especially indicates that those who have without full justification set aside authoritative direction from their Christian doctor or other qualified individuals concerning changing their lifestyles because of their health needs should amend their ways. Such behavior is plainly contrary to the mind of God, who would have them to change their lifestyles for the sake of their health.

Let us ask ourselves how many ministers and other Christian leaders are presently righteously caring for the health needs of the people of God by giving them authoritative direction concerning lifestyle changes for the sake of their health. How will they do so if they do not understand that Scripture teaches that they should do so? How can they do so effectively if they do not have a personal testimony of caring properly for their own comprehensive physical well-being?

Moreover, how will they do so apart from proper sufficient training concerning physical health of the body? What’s more, were they to do so, how many Christians would even be submissive to such direction when it is given?

Let us also consider how many parents are letting their children engage in unhealthy lifestyles, not wanting to take the trouble to confront them or thinking that God has not really spoken to such matters? In addition, let us consider how many spouses allow their spouse to go on living in self-destructive eating habits, wishing there were some way to get them to change before something terrible happens.

God Does Care How Healthy Your Lifestyle Is!

Let none who are facing any of the situations discussed above (or other similar situations) dismiss, make light of, or neglect the glorious teaching that God commands us to make lifestyle changes for the sake of our health (1 Tim. 5:23). Apart from a proper reception and observance of that teaching, what will we have left whereby to wisely minister to such needs of our loved ones: “The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?” (Jer. 8:9).

Only the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is able to pierce to the innermost being of man and lay bare to him the true state of his heart before God (Heb. 4:12). In 1 Timothy 5:23, we have just such a wonderful “sword” that God will mightily use to quicken both us and our loved ones so that we all will change whatever lifestyle habits are hurting our health.

Only through a proper reception of the mind of God through the careful handling of numerous passages concerning health, etc. in Scripture could such proper ministry become a reality in the church, in our homes, in our schools, etc. By such hearing and obeying of what God says in those verses, including especially 1 Timothy 5:23, many more believers would experience the glorious promise set forth in Proverbs 4:10 (and elsewhere): “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.”

May God help us to live properly in the light of His concern for our comprehensive well-being. O yes, He cares how healthy your lifestyle is—will you?

 

[1] “Stomach” in 1 Timothy 5:23 = “belly” in 1 Corinthians 6:13; for our purposes even though different Greek words are used, the reference is clearly essentially to the same thing.

[2] That this is only one verse in a book of six chapters concerning pastoral ministry should not lead us therefore to dismiss, make light of, or neglect the truth taught by God therein. Certainly, proper ministry is much bigger than merely the health concerns of the people of God. As this verse plainly shows, however, adequately ministering to the health concerns of the people of God is part of the ministry! Consider also how much time and money go into addressing the health issues of believers in a church, and therefore, how needful and valuable is authoritative direction from God concerning those issues.

[3] This verse is only one of several in Scripture that show God’s mind concerning comprehensive well-being of His people: Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 35:27; Proverbs 3:7, 4: 22, 14:30; Ecclesiastes 11:10; Isaiah 58:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 3 John 2.

[4] Proper treatment of all the Scriptural considerations concerning the propriety of contemporary use of alcohol by Christians is far beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say, the teaching in 1 Timothy 5:23 plainly indicates the medicinal use of a small quantity of wine in the specific setting that Timothy faced at that time. If the reason for this admonition stemmed from concerns for water quality, given the proper facilities available to us today for water purification, no such use of wine can be justified except in the most exceptional of circumstances. All things considered, this writer believes that Christians should abstain from all consumption of alcohol, except for legitimate medicinal use, including such preparations as noted above, which are to be used only in a limited fashion at those times when legitimate need exists. In any case, this verse gives no support whatever to social drinking as legitimate for believers. For differing viewpoints concerning the propriety of the use of wine in the observance of the Lord’s Supper by believers today, please consult appropriate works that deal with that and related issues.

[5] Potential concern for discerning properly what the appropriate lifestyle intervention(s) for any given health concern(s) is/are should not lead us to discount the teaching of 1 Timothy 5:23. For the vast majority of cases, proper attention now to any of the basic well-established tenets of healthy living, such as regular physical activity, healthy diet, sufficient rest, etc. that have not been adhered to in the past, will yield great benefits. For numerous people with health problems, one pertinent application of 1 Timothy 5:23 would be along the following lines: “No longer just serve in your church, at work, and at home, but also do a little regular physical activity.” The case for such advice being of benefit has been established through hundreds of studies for decades, including many recent ones that powerfully show the value of even a little regular physical activity. Consider especially that the case for regular physical activity is so strong that the Surgeon General has even issued an advisory report detailing the facts supporting such a practice. Keeping in mind that believers generally hold that smoking is ungodly behavior because of the damage to one’s health, it is striking that research has demonstrated more than once that a sedentary lifestyle is as damaging to one’s health as smoking, or even more!

See also Christian Health/Fitness Quotes I

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Exhortation, Exposition, Health
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Let Us Fear and Serve God!

February 16, 2014

Genesis 39 records the remarkable testimony that Joseph had after he had been forcibly brought down to Egypt. From considering several aspects of his testimony, let us aspire to fear and serve God as he did.

Joseph’s Striking Testimony to an Egyptian Officer

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer who was the captain of Pharaoh’s guard (Gen. 39:1). Although Joseph was alone in a strange land where he did not know anyone, the Lord was with him and prospered him greatly (Gen. 39:2).

Joseph’s testimony was so remarkable that his unsaved Egyptian master “saw that the Lord was with him” (Gen. 39:3a). His master even saw “that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand” (Gen. 39:3b)!

Moses does not explain what these statements specifically mean or how Potiphar saw these things. He does add that Joseph “found grace in his sight” and was exalted by him to be over all that he had (Gen. 39:4).

From the time that Potiphar exalted Joseph, the Lord blessed everything that Potiphar had in his house and his field (Gen. 39:5). Joseph’s exemplary service to Potiphar and the Lord’s incredible blessing on all that was his was thus a striking testimony to him of the goodness of God to him in spite of his being an unsaved Egyptian.

Joseph’s Sterling Testimony to Potiphar’s Wife

Potiphar’s wife took note of Joseph’s attractiveness and demanded that he commit adultery with her (Gen. 39:6-7). Joseph refused her immoral demand (Gen. 39:8) and testified to her of his fear of God by asking her, “How  . . . can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).

Joseph showed that he feared God supremely and wanted to live a sanctified life for Him before others. Although his doing so would cost him greatly (Gen. 39:10-20), Jospeh remained steadfast in refusing her immoral overtures (Gen. 39:10) because he was determined to have a sterling testimony of fearing and serving God regardless of his circumstances.

Joseph’s Sustained Testimony of Excellence to the Keeper of the Prison

Although he was unjustly imprisoned (Gen. 39:20) because Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of wrongdoing (Gen. 39:14-18), Joseph sustained his testimony of excellence before others because the Lord continued to be with him and bless him (Gen. 39:21). As Potiphar had done earlier, the keeper of the prison exalted Joseph “because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper (Gen 39:22-23).

Fearing and Serving God Regardless of Our Circumstances

Although Joseph unjustly suffered greatly, he did not allow his circumstances to turn him from fearing and serving God. He did not do so merely in his own strength or by his own determination and discipline—the Lord was with him (Gen. 39:2, 3, 21, 23), granted him favor with people (Gen. 39:21; cf. 39:4), and prospered all that he did (Gen. 39:3, 23)!

Jesus has promised to be with all His disciples always to the end of the world (Matt. 28:20). Because Jesus is with us, let us fear and serve God regardless of our circumstances, even as Joseph did!

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Exhortation, Exposition
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Let Us Bless the Lord Who Gives and Takes Away

February 13, 2014

Job experienced horrific loss and responded properly to it by saying, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return hither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). On a far, far lesser scale, I have recently experienced similar circumstances that have prompted me to be mindful of blessing the Lord who gives and takes away.

Substantial Savings on Prescription Medication

Because of a somewhat serious but controllable medical condition and because I have minimal insurance coverage, I have to spend a relatively large amount of money every few months on two prescription medications. No generic forms of these drugs are available, and it is essential that I not miss even one dose.

Recently, my doctor gave me a discount card from the makers of one of these drugs. Through enrolling in the discount program that this company offers, I was able to save more than 76% last week on a refill for one of these prescription drugs!

I rejoiced in God’s goodness and praised Him for providing this means for me to reduce so much the cost of this necessary medication! When this happened, I was also thinking that the Lord had blessed me in a special way that would help meet financial needs that I have so that I would have more resources to pay for other expenses.

Substantial Loss of Income Because of Bad Weather

Because of a very severe winter storm, however, I have had to cancel four classes this week that I normally teach each week. Not having those classes has caused me to lose almost exactly the same amount of money this week that I saved last week through the discount card on my prescription medication.

I Bless the Lord Who Gives and Takes Away

It is not coincidental that these two events have taken place in such a short span of time. Undoubtedly, the Lord is using them to teach me to trust Him more for meeting all my needs.

Although my experience with saving a fair amount of money and then losing almost exactly that same amount does not even begin to compare with what Job experienced, I am confident that the Lord wants me to learn to respond as Job did. With Job, I do bless the Lord who gives and takes away!

“The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Let us bless the Lord who gives and takes away.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Discipleship, Exhortation, Testimony
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Spanish Bible Reading Report 2.12.14

February 12, 2014

After 43 days in 2014, I am still on track to finish reading through the Reina Valera this year!

  • Books completed – Galatians; James
  • Other reading – Genesis 1-36; Psalms 1-43; Proverbs 1-26; Isaiah 1-25
  • Chapters read – OT -130; NT – 11; Total – 141

Bendito sea Jehová para siempre. Amén, y Amén (Salmos 89:52).

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Bible reading, Spanish
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Have Mercy on Us, O Lord (Ten misercordia de nosotros, oh Jehová)!

February 11, 2014

From my regular reading in the Psalms in the Reina Valera, I have been struck by how many times the psalmists prayed for the Lord to have mercy on them. The phrase ten misericordia (‘have mercy’) occurs 19 times in 17 verses in the Psalms and 13 times elsewhere in 13 verses for a total of 32 times in 30 verses.[1]

Meditating on these verses provides us with rich instruction about how we should pray: 

  1. Psa 4:1 <To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.> Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.R60 Psa 4:1 <Al músico principal; sobre Neginot. Salmo de David.> Respóndeme cuando clamo, oh Dios de mi justicia. Cuando estaba en angustia, tú me hiciste ensanchar; Ten misericordia de mí, y oye mi oración.
  2. Psa 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.R60 Psa 6:2 Ten misericordia de mí, oh Jehová, porque estoy enfermo; Sáname, oh Jehová, porque mis huesos se estremecen.
  3. Psa 9:13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:R60 Psa 9:13 Ten misericordia de mí, Jehová; Mira mi aflicción que padezco a causa de los que me aborrecen, Tú que me levantas de las puertas de la muerte,
  4. Psa 25:16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.R60 Psa 25:16 Mírame, y ten misericordia de mí, Porque estoy solo y afligido.
  5. Psa 26:11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.R60 Psa 26:11 Mas yo andaré en mi integridad; Redímeme, y ten misericordia de mí.
  6. Psa 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.R60 Psa 27:7 Oye, oh Jehová, mi voz con que a ti clamo; Ten misericordia de mí, y respóndeme.
  7. Psa 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.R60 Psa 30:10 Oye, oh Jehová, y ten misericordia de mí; Jehová, sé tú mi ayudador.
  8. Psa 31:9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.R60 Psa 31:9 Ten misericordia de mí, oh Jehová, porque estoy en angustia; Se han consumido de tristeza mis ojos, mi alma también y mi cuerpo.
  9. Psa 41:4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.R60 Psa 41:4 Yo dije: Jehová, ten misericordia de mí; Sana mi alma, porque contra ti he pecado.
  10. Psa 41:10 But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.R60 Psa 41:10 Mas tú, Jehová, ten misericordia de mí, y hazme levantar, Y les daré el pago.
  11. Psa 56:1 <To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.> Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.R60 Psa 56:1 <Al músico principal; sobre La paloma silenciosa en paraje muy distante. Mictam de David, cuando los filisteos le prendieron en Gat.> Ten misericordia de mí, oh Dios, porque me devoraría el hombre; Me oprime combatiéndome cada día.
  12. Psa 57:1 <To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.> Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.R60 Psa 57:1 <Al músico principal; sobre No destruyas. Mictam de David, cuando huyó de delante de Saúl a la cueva.> Ten misericordia de mí, oh Dios, ten misericordia de mí; Porque en ti ha confiado mi alma, Y en la sombra de tus alas me ampararé Hasta que pasen los quebrantos.
  13. Psa 86:3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.R60 Psa 86:3 Ten misericordia de mí, oh Jehová; Porque a ti clamo todo el día.
  14. Psa 86:16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.R60 Psa 86:16 Mírame, y ten misericordia de mí; Da tu poder a tu siervo, Y guarda al hijo de tu sierva.
  15. Psa 119:58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.R60 Psa 119:58 Tu presencia supliqué de todo corazón; Ten misericordia de mí según tu palabra.
  16. Psa 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.R60 Psa 119:132 Mírame, y ten misericordia de mí, Como acostumbras con los que aman tu nombre.
  17. Psa 123:3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.R60 Psa 123:3 Ten misericordia de nosotros, oh Jehová, ten misericordia de nosotros, Porque estamos muy hastiados de menosprecio.
  18. Isa 33:2 O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.R60 Isa 33:2 Oh Jehová, ten misericordia de nosotros, a ti hemos esperado; tú, brazo de ellos en la mañana, sé también nuestra salvación en tiempo de la tribulación.
  19. Mat 9:27  And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.R60 Mat 9:27  Pasando Jesús de allí, le siguieron dos ciegos, dando voces y diciendo: ¡Ten misericordia de nosotros, Hijo de David!
  20. Mat 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.R60 Mat 15:22 Y he aquí una mujer cananea que había salido de aquella región clamaba, diciéndole: ¡Señor, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí! Mi hija es gravemente atormentada por un demonio.
  21. Mat 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.R60 Mat 17:15  Señor, ten misericordia de mi hijo, que es lunático, y padece muchísimo; porque muchas veces cae en el fuego, y muchas en el agua.
  22. Mat 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.R60 Mat 20:30 Y dos ciegos que estaban sentados junto al camino, cuando oyeron que Jesús pasaba, clamaron, diciendo: ¡Señor, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de nosotros!
  23. Mat 20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.R60 Mat 20:31 Y la gente les reprendió para que callasen; pero ellos clamaban más, diciendo: ¡Señor, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de nosotros!
  24. Mar 9:22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.R60 Mar 9:22 Y muchas veces le echa en el fuego y en el agua, para matarle; pero si puedes hacer algo, ten misericordia de nosotros, y ayúdanos.
  25. Mar 10:47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.R60 Mar 10:47 Y oyendo que era Jesús nazareno, comenzó a dar voces y a decir: ¡Jesús, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí!
  26. Mar 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.R60 Mar 10:48 Y muchos le reprendían para que callase, pero él clamaba mucho más: ¡Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí!
  27. Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.R60 Luk 16:24 Entonces él, dando voces, dijo: Padre Abraham, ten misericordia de mí, y envía a Lázaro para que moje la punta de su dedo en agua, y refresque mi lengua; porque estoy atormentado en esta llama.
  28. Luk 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.R60 Luk 17:13 y alzaron la voz, diciendo: ¡Jesús, Maestro, ten misericordia de nosotros!
  29. Luk 18:38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.R60 Luk 18:38 Entonces dio voces, diciendo: ¡Jesús, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí!
  30. Luk 18:39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.R60 Luk 18:39 Y los que iban delante le reprendían para que callase; pero él clamaba mucho más: ¡Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí!

Let us learn from this wealth of scriptural instruction to pray regularly, “Have mercy on us, O Lord” (Ten misericordia de nosotros, oh Jehová)!

 

[1]  Ten misericordia is rendered as follows: “have mercy” [21x]; “be merciful” [9x]; “be gracious” [1x]; and “have compassion” [1x].

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Exhortation, Prayer, Spanish
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Guitar Music for “O Worship the King”

February 10, 2014

“O Worship the King” is a classic hymn that is easy to play. Here is a PDF that provides the melody notes, first stanza, and guitar chords for the hymn. The song uses only five chords: G, C, D, D7, and c#dim/d. The PDF provides a chord diagram for c#dim/d because it is a chord that most guitarists will not know how to play

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Guitar Music
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On The Importance of Greeting One Another

February 8, 2014

In my 24 years of being a Christian, I have experienced many times how discouraging and even painful at times it is when Christian brethren have not extended to me even a simple friendly greeting when our paths have happened to cross. I have often left such encounters wondering why so and so seems to greet many other people warmly but does not do so with me.

Recently, having had this happen to me again has brought back to my mind just how important it is that we as believers graciously greet another:

1Co 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

2Co 13:12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

Phi 4:21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

1Th 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

Heb 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

1Pe 5:14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

3Jo 1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

This repeated, authoritative biblical instruction makes clear that we all have a vital responsibility to greet one another graciously, especially in the context of a local church.

When we are disinclined to extend such a greeting to someone that we have known for some time, we should examine our thinking and consider why we do not wish to do so. Especially in situations of interpersonal conflict between brethren in a church,  wariness of extending a greeting to another believer should signal to us further that our relationship with that fellow believer is not what God wants it to be and needs attention to restore proper fellowship among brethren.

I have failed many times myself to heed the vital scriptural instruction concerning greeting one another, and I am sure that the Lord wants to use my recent troubling experience to challenge me about my own need in this area. By His grace, I desire and purpose to strive to display this Christian grace more faithfully in the days to come.

May the Lord help us all to build up one another by greeting one another graciously, as we ought.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Discipleship, Exhortation, Interpretation
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Is Amos 5:21-24 Important for Our Understanding of Music (Part I)?

February 6, 2014

From reading Amos 5:21-24, see if you can discover for yourself what key fact about music this passage reveals that needs much careful attention in our day:

 Amo 5:21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

 22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

 23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

 24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

To help you discover that fact, here are some key questions to keep in mind:

1. Who is speaking in the passage?

2. What is the speaker revealing specifically about his activities concerning music?

3. Is the speaker communicating anything positive or negative about music?

4. What is the relevance of this revelation to our understanding of music?

If you discovered what this key fact is and what its contemporary relevance is, do you think that Amos 5:21-24 is a key passage for our understanding of music?

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Exposition, Interpretation, Music, Theology
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What A Sound Theology of Sound Teaches Us about Music That We Should Reject

February 2, 2014

Because biblical revelation about sound abounds, a sound theology of sound must account for all that Scripture reveals about sound. Attention to several passages about one specific aspect of certain sounds points us to another reason to reject the use of certain music.

Thunder as God’s Voice

At least seven passages directly identify thunder as the voice of God speaking, either through paralleling the two or by more directly linking them:

2Sa 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.

Psa 18:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

Psa 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

Job 37:4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Job 40:9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

Psa 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

Psa 104:7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

These passages should teach us to consider the very real possibility that when we hear thunder, we may actually be hearing God speaking but not understanding what He is saying. A key passage in the NT supports the validity of our need to be mindful of this possibility.

Human Misidentification of Sound as Merely Thunder

On an occasion when He was in the midst of a crowd, Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Thy name” (John 12:28a). In response, “then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again” (John 12:28b).

The crowd that was standing by Him heard it and “said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him” (John 12:29). Jesus responded to them, “This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes” (John 12:30).

Several commentators explain what took place at this time:

The Father then spoke from heaven in a thunderous voice, confirming His working in Jesus both in the past in the future. The voice was audible but not all understood it . . . The voice from heaven confirmed faith in the spiritually perceptive but to the unspiritual it was only a noise (1 Cor. 2:14).—Edwin A. Blum, BKC: NT, 318; bold is in the original

He alone could distinguish exactly what the voice said . . . If Jesus hears the voice distinctly, the crowd that was there does not. Some, presumably those less open to observable supernatural intervention, said it had thundered; others recognized that the sound was speech, a voice, and not just noise, but there is no evidence that they could make out what was being said.—D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, 441

The form in which the answer to Jesus’ prayer Father, glorify thy name (28) is conveyed (apparently a loud noise, interpreted by the materialists as a clap of thunder and nothing more, and by the more spiritually-minded as an angelic utterance) brings home to those standing near Jesus (for this, He states, was its primary purpose) the truth that Jesus really is engaged upon His Father’s business.—R. V. G. Tasker, TNTC: John, 149-150.

They heard the sound from heaven without distinguishing the words. . . . The astounding sound coming from heaven was called “thunder” by those who sought a natural explanation. Perhaps the sound resembled thunder to their ears. Others, nearer the truth, connect the sound with Jesus and imagine that an angel from heaven has spoken to him. The thunder hypothesis would be offered by the skeptics of today, who deem any but a natural explanation of supernatural phenomena “superstition.” —R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of John, 871-872

These commentators all note that the passage shows that when many people in the crowd thought that they had heard thunder, they actually had heard the sound of divine communication from the Father to the Son. What many of these people, therefore, thought was just a loud noise in the heavens was actually specific communication.

Additional Relevant Passages

Three other passages also relate times when people heard loud sounds and did not understand that they were actually hearing the speech of supernatural beings, either an angel (Dan. 10:4-9) or of the glorified Jesus (Acts 9:7 and 22:9):

Daniel 10:4-9

While Daniel and others were at the bank of a great river, only Daniel saw “a great vision”:

Dan 10:4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

Daniel notes that the words that he heard were “like the voice of a multitude,” but he gives no indication that he understood what that voice was saying. Later, Daniel was given understanding (Dan. 10:10-21).

Acts 9:7 and 22:9

Two of the accounts of Paul’s conversion record that Jesus spoke from heaven to Saul after He had “arrested” him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-7; 22:6-9). Those who were with Saul heard a voice but did not understand it:

Act 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Act 22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not[1] the voice of him that spake to me.

Like John 12:28-29, this passage shows that humans did not understand that the sound that they heard was actual specific communication by God.

Discussion 

Based on all the passages treated above, our theology of sound must include the reality that we likely often misinterpret actual speech by supernatural beings as merely thunder or some other indistinct loud sounds. Our inability to understand such supernatural speech (cf. 1 Cor. 13:1), therefore, should warn us not to think that we know with certainty that the extremely loud sounds of the music in a rock concert or of the music in many contemporary worship services are not communicating ungodly messages to supernatural beings who understand various communicative properties of sound that we do not.

Conclusion 

Christians who favor contemporary worship must allow Scripture to adjust their theology of sound so that it takes into account properly the divine revelation that shows our human inability to understand fully what certain loud sounds communicate in the supernatural realm and how they do so. Because of its demonic origins, rock music, which is played very loudly to obtain its full effect, must be rejected so that there is no possibility that we will unwittingly communicate ungodly messages to supernatural beings through music whose sounds have aspects that we do not understand.

 

[1] A careful examination of the Greek text shows that Acts 22:9 conveys not that the others did not hear the voice at all but that they did not understand what was being said.

 

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In CCM, Interpretation, Theology
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Guitar Music for “Sόlo creed”

February 1, 2014

Here is a PDF that provides the music, words, and guitar chords for the Spanish song Sόlo creed.

Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.

In Guitar Music, Spanish
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