The Perfect Excuse

Sometimes it is hard to post a blog, because of the thought, “it has to be perfect.”  Which of course is followed by the following phrases:
“Nobody’s perfect...” and
“Christian’s aren’t perfect, just forgiven...”
So, please do not expect this to be a perfect blog.  But wait!  

Let’s ask some more questions...
Are those two statements true?
Does it justify aiming for a lower standard?
What does it mean to be perfect?
Is perfection something to be sought after?

This blog was originally set up to use the Bible to define what we believe.  So it only seems right to ask, “What does the Bible say about being perfect?”

Matthew 5:48 reads “Be ye therefore perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Yes, that is in the Bible.  Yes, that is a high standard.  So, where to start?  How about with “as your Father in heaven is perfect?”  

Let’s see what the Bible has to say about God and perfection.
Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
2Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
Hebrews 5:8-    9 “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

God’s works, way, law (word), gifts, and Son are perfect.  And according to Matthew 5:48 we are to be perfect as He is.  But wait, only God is perfect, right?  Well, let’s take a look at some passages in the old testament.
Deuteronomy 18:13 A command to God’s chosen “Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.”
Genesis 6:9 Noah  “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
1 Kings 11:4  David  “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
1 Kings 15:11-14 Asa “And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron. But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.”
1 Chronicles 12:38  Men of war “All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.”
1 Chronicles 29:9 people  “Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.”

Are you seeing a pattern or getting some insight?  God commanded his chosen to be perfect in the Old Testament, just like in the New Testament.  There were singular cases, like Noah, and communal cases, like the people in 1 Chronicles 29.  Notice that wisdom and wealth, Solomon, do not necessarily lead to being perfect.  And the heart is made reference to in most of the passages selected.

How about examples in the New Testament...
Matthew 19:21 potentially the rich young ruler “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
2 Corinthians 13:9 Paul’s desire for the Corinthians “For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.”
Ephesians 4:11-13 the purpose for gifts “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
Colossians 1:28 Paul to the Colossians “Whom we preach [Christ], warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”  4:12  “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
James 1:2-4 Christians are to be “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Revelation 3:2 Works  “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”

The goal for Christians is perfection and these verses seem to say that perfection is expected, not an option.  One could say, “when we die and go to heaven, then we will be perfect,” but that does not seem to be what the passages are pointing to, albeit that statement is correct. For example, if the rich young ruler did as Jesus said, would he have died on the spot?  And then the passage in Revelation is directed at the church in Sardis.  Work still needs to be done.

The goal is perfection and there are people who are identified as being perfect. But what makes them perfect?

Not the works we do in the flesh...
Galatians 3:3  “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

Not the law...
Hebrews 7:19 “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”

But the God of all grace...
1 Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

God is the one who does the work and some of the passages above give us an indication of the methods God uses to perfect us.

But what does it mean to be perfect?
God is the one who makes us perfect and He has given us His perfect Word.  There is a passage in 2 Timothy that helps define what it means to be perfect in this fallen world.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

This verse indicates that to be perfect it to be ready and willing to do good works.  Works that are biblically based.
Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

James gives an example of a good work, and that is being careful what we say.
James  3:2  “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”

Think back to the context of Matthew 5:48.  Matthew 5 certainly presents a high standard.  Blessing those who persecute us, judgment of thoughts, and even a warning about the words we use.  Matthew 5 is not written to show how far short we fall from God’s standard, the law does that also, but describes those who are being perfected by God.

There are those who are perfect.  Past, present, and future.
Christians are forgiven and therefore have the means to be perfect.
It is convenient to use the phrase “I’m not perfect” as an excuse for not measuring up to God’s standards.  The statement may be true for the moment, but what happens is that once that phrase is used over and over again, it becomes a truth in itself.  And what follows is lower standards.  Why?  Because using the “perfect excuse” indicates that the standard cannot be met.  If a standard cannot be met, why try?  But the standard is God’s, the command to be perfect is from God, and the provision to be made perfect is from God. 

God is the creator and judge.  We are to fear Him, give glory to Him, and worship Him.
“Be ye therefore perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48

Christmas and Easter...

Two events are celebrated by the church more than any others.  They are the birth of Christ, aka Christmas, and the resurrection of Christ, aka Easter.  I was one of the many who only attended church during those two times of the year, and sometimes not even that.  One would think that with so much significance the events and facts surrounding those two events would be uniform and clear.
Let's start with the events surrounding the birth of Christ.  The events surrounding the resurrection of Christ will have to wait for a few months.
The word Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible, unlike the word Easter.  Also, the day that Christ was born is not mentioned in the Bible, unlike the time of year that Christ was crucified and resurrected.  The word Christmas comes from Christ's mass.  I am not even going to pretend to be qualified to discuss the details of a mass, but from what I gather the term comes from the Roman Catholic church practice.  There is also the term Xmas, which some, including myself, have taken offense to.  Isn't that taking Christ out of Christmas.  Well yes, and no.  Apparently X, which would not be pronounce "ex," is the first letter of Christ in the Greek.  One would not say "X"mas, but it is okay to write.  And there is historical usage of X in the place of Christ.  So for those who know their Greek, Xmas is suitable.  Another explanation that I heard was that X was a symbol for the manger that Jesus was laid in since there was no room at the inn.  Still nothing Biblical to mention here regarding the word Christmas.
The Biblical accounts...
Matthew 1, the genealogy and birth of Christ.
Matthew 2, the wise men visit.
Luke 1, the conception of Jesus
Luke 2, the birth of Jesus
Luke 3, the genealogy of Christ
That's it.  Maybe that is why there is so much tradition mixed in.  So here are some questions to answer about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus' Father?  God.  Ah, the perfect Sunday School question.  It is not Joseph.  That is somewhat clear from the genealogies presented also...
In Matthew, after fourteen verses of "father begat son," comes verse 16
"And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ."  Note that Joseph did not begat "...Jesus, who is called the Christ."  But that Joseph is called "the husband of Mary."
The genealogy in Luke 3 is even more interesting in that is starts at the end, and is introduced by verse 22
"And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."  The next verse "And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,"
I could only find one instance where Joseph is mentioned as Jesus' father and that is in Luke 2:48 after Jesus remains at the temple, and his parents panic, like all good parents would.
"And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing."  Note that his mother is speaking.  The next verse clears up any misconceptions...
49 "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?"  Jesus is clearly referring to God.

Was Mary a virgin or just a young woman?
It is pretty clear that she was a virgin and a young woman.
Matt 1:22-23  "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."  This is from Isaiah 7:14.
Luke 1:26-27 "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary."

Were Joseph and Mary married before the conception of Jesus Christ?  According to many, no.  They were simply engaged.  So why does anybody get upset if couples become pregnant out of wedlock? The Bible makes it clear that they were married, or considered to be husband and wife.  In Luke 1:27, included above, it says Mary was "...espoused to a man whose name was Joseph..."  To be espoused is to be legally declared a husband and wife.  It is much different than being engaged in today's western culture.  Matthew 1:18 makes it clear that although they were legally married, they had not yet come together, so Mary should not have been pregnant by a man, but she was by the Holy Ghost. "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  For more on espoused, look also at 2 Samuel 3:14 "And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines."  This payment was actually Saul's idea on how to potentially get rid of David, but by the grace of God David prevailed.  1 Samuel 18:27 "Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife."  Another place where espoused is used is 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  The sense from here is being committed.  Verse 3 is interesting because the example is Eve.  She was Adam's wife, no question there.  More evidence, Matthew 1:19 "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily."  The phrase "put her away" is used six other times in the Bible and always refers to an action between a husband and a wife.  And lastly Matthew 1:20 "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."  Note the phrase "fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:"  This is the best translation because it is consistent with all the events surrounding the birth of Christ, and with the rest of the Bible. God works by the book.

Who were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar?  I heard this question at a Christmas party for children.  The children were then separated into groups based on these three names.  Who were they?  They were the three kings who visited Jesus at the time of his birth, as most nativity scenes depict.  Leave it at that?  No.  Biblically speaking there is no mention of the number of kings that visited Jesus.  In fact, they are not even called kings.  Also, they didn't visit Jesus and see Him lying in a manger, but came to a house.  Let's look at the account starting in Matthew 2:1-2 "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."  Wise men from the east came to find Jesus with the question, "Where is he that is born...?"  Not will be born, but has been born.  Also, there is no mention of how many wise men came.  They are called wise men, not kings, and they are not called Magi (in this version).  By the way, what are Magi?  You could say, "wise men or kings" but what usually follows the term Magi, in an effort to define it, are astrologers, "magi"cians, and scientists.  That could be, but in general it makes more sense to say, "wise men seek Jesus."  One does not have to be knowledgeable in the sciences or occult to seek Jesus, but those who do seek Jesus are considered by God to be wise, no matter how simple.  The traditional view of there being three kings, comes from the gifts that were presented when they met the Christ child.  Matthew 2:11 "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."  The gifts indicate wealth of kings and noblemen, right?  Not necessarily, maybe some of the wise men gave out of their wealth, but maybe some gave all that they had.  Like the widow in Luke 21:2-4 "And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."  Wise men seek Jesus, period.

What about "the star?"  Isn't there documentation of some astronomical event, like the aligning of planets or a supernova around the time of the birth of Christ that could explain the star?  Even if there was there are some things that we know about stars (including planets).  They follow a normal path from East to West.  They do not stand still in the sky.  Most everyone can see them.  Now "the star."  Matthew 2:2 says, "...we have seen His star in the east..."  Where was the star that the wise men saw?  Did they see it while they were in the east, or did they see it in the east.  It seems redundant to say that the wise men were from the east and saw the star while they were in the east; however, there is significance to seeing a star in the east.  Revelation 22:16 "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."  Where would you look to see a "bright and morning star?"  East, because anywhere else you probably could have seen the star already since stars appear to move east to west across the sky.  So maybe the wise men, who were seeking Jesus, received a supernatural sign from God, the bright and morning star, that was their signal to travel to Jerusalem.  Am I giving the wise men too much credit? They received at least one other vision from God and obeyed.  Matthew 2:12 "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."  Most normal people would not be looking for a star in the morning, other than the sun.  Perhaps the wise men had another dream in which God revealed a star to be seen by them, and them alone.  Note that there is no indication that the star led the wise men to Jerusalem.  In fact, if they saw it in the east, and they came from the east the star would not have led them to the east.  And if it was a normal astronomical event it would have led them in circles, rising in the east and setting in the west.  It could be that the wise men said they saw his star in the east, because after they saw it, it went away.  That would explain Matthew 2:7 where Herod inquires when the star appeared.  The next mention of the star comes a few verses later.  Matthew 2:9-10 "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."  To travel from Jerusalem to Bethlehem one needs to go south.  This passage says, "the star...went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was."  The movement of the star was in a southerly direction, the star then stopped over where the young child was.  Not a normal things for stars to do.  It also appears that only the wise men saw the star.  All this is miraculous and consistent with the nature of God.  He leads those that seek Him, and hides truth from those who have hardened their hearts.  It appears that the star was a supernatural sign for the wise men to confirm the birth and identity of the Messiah.

Why does it matter if we get the details right or not? 
Because as Jesus says in Mark 7:13 "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."  When tradition trumps what the Bible teaches, the Bible becomes just another tradition or a collection of stories.

Should we celebrate the birth of Christ?
Is there anything in the Bible that suggests a celebration of the birth of Christ?  Does "a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God" count (Luke 2:13)?  How about the shepherd's coming in haste to see the babe lying the manger (Luke 2:16)?  Or how about Simeon's and Anna's reaction later in Luke 2?  And what about the wise men who came from the east to worship Him.  Yes, there is plenty of reason to celebrate the birth of Christ.  But is that what Christmas is all about?  That is what Christmas should be all about.  But through the years the meaning has changed to be more of a secular event, even for many of the Christians who "celebrate" Christmas.  Could it be because through the telling of stories it has become more of a myth and the events have taken a life of their own, rather than the focus being on the event of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us?  The reactions of the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and the wise men were acts of worship and giving glory to God.  Setting apart a day a year to celebrate God becoming flesh and dwelling among us is not a bad thing.  No the exact day of Christ' birth is not known, but we can rejoice, remember, and celebrate this special event throughout the year with the focus on December 25th.

Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 

Miranda Rights, Tiger Woods, and You

Now that the US is considering trying enemy combatants, or terrorists, in civilian courts, the question is being asked is "if a terrorist is captured would that person need to be read their Miranda rights by their US captors?"
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense..."
Shouldn't that "right" be reserved for US citizens and be applied to those fighting against the US?
Or is that a God given right that should be applied to all people?
Wouldn't you like to know what happened to Tiger Woods?  His name is probably at the top for recent internet searches.  Some people say he needs to make a clear statement explaining and defending himself against all the accusations that are flying about. Mike Gallagher asked on his morning talk show something to the effect of (the following is paraphrased), "What about you?  Should you have to reveal all the details about the latest fight that you had with someone close to you, or should you have to explain every detail about the last time you got into an accident?"  Good point by Mr. Gallagher.  Tiger woods has asked for privacy and that seems reasonable, but more and more people seem to be coming out of the wood work with stories.  Seems to fit the following verse.  Prov 16:20  "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."  No puns intended.  People will keep on talking as long as there is fuel for the fire.  That seems to suggest that something should be said to put the fire out.  On the other hand, things said most often just add fuel to the fire.  Accusers are not happy just knowing that something happened, they want to know exactly what happened and with who, and when, and where, and why, and how, and what you were thinking, and ... the list goes on.
Let's look at someone who didn't do anything wrong.  That would be Jesus.
Luke 22:66-71  "And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.  Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth."
But wasn't Jesus silent before His accusers in fulfillment of prophecy Isaiah 53:7?  Yes, Luke 23:9-10  "Then he [Herod] questioned with him [Jesus] in many words; but he answered him nothing.  And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him."
The point being that we are fallen and need to be discerning who we share with and what we share.  There are those who want to help, and those that do not.  Perhaps a question to ask, before we ask a question is, "Why do I want/need to know?"  Is it so I can get the scoop or protect myself, or so that I can minister to the person?  I think one leads to gossip and the other potentially leads to life.
Things we say and do can get us into "trouble," even if what we are doing is right. In fact, it is not only what we verbally communicate, it can be things we write, type., email, blog, video etc.  I am sure you can think of some recent events that reputations have been ruined because of things written or videos made that were intended to be private, but end up being revealed. And now, with the internet, things can published world wide in an instant.   That seems to fit Luke 12:2-3 "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."
In the above context, that seems to be somewhat terrifying, and maybe it should be.  Here is what Google CEO said about privacy, "If you have something you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it."  Problem is, I think that most people, including the Google CEO, have things that they would rather not be known.  But according to Luke 12, everything will be known and it is impossible to take back words spoken.  So, "Be afraid, be very afraid."
The parallel passage in Matthew 10 provided a different view point for me.  Matthew 10:25-28 "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
The difference is verse 27 "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops."  Remember this is Jesus speaking.  So it is his words that will be preached upon the housetops.  Comforting?
Heb 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  It is not just what we do that will be judged, but our thoughts and intent also."  God's word judges not only our actions, but our "thoughts and intents."  Read Matt 5:19-48 for a little more elaboration on this.
So you can remain silent, although in God's eyes nothing is hidden.  In God's court, God is the judge, and if you accept Him, Christ is your attorney to defend you.  And yes, Christ paid the price for you.
The good news is that God is the judge and not man.  And that through His Son's works, He has provided the way of escape for His creation.  That is why He is worthy of fear, glory, and worship.
Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."