The Sword Room

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

We are in the middle of campaign season, and all the candidates competing for votes are bragging themselves up. In this enlightened age of self-love, self-esteem, and positive self image bragging on oneself seems almost virtuous. Recognizing and affirming one’s God-given strengths and accomplishments is one thing, but the true honor and glory belong to the Lord alone–the triune, sovereign self-contained God of the Bible.

The text I cited above must be understood in light of the divine covenant made with Israel. They were promised a life of blessing in the land of Canaan as long as they worshipped the true God and followed his Laws. The first step into decline for them came when they dabbled in the pagan religions of the surrounding nations. These false deities were like add-ons to the worship of Yahweh, so that they did not feel like they were forsaking God.

From here they went into a downward spiritual and moral spiral while retaining an outward form of religiosity. Jeremiah the prophet was commissioned by God to warn the people and command them to return to the Lord. The Babylonian armies were closing in on Jerusalem even as Jeremiah uttered his prophesies. For every true prophet their were scores of fakes who preached a popular message of I’m-ok-you’re-ok. Jeremiah preached the true biblical God and the false prophets countered with the god of The Shack and Love Wins.

The so-called wise men were boasting of their wisdom in the face of  imminent calamity. The so-called mighty men were still flexing their muscles, and the rich were trusting their riches to buy them continued blessing. Within a few short years they would be dead or led off in chains into captivity. Every basis of boasting would be gone and they would be shown as the fools they were for forsaking Him who is the true fountain of life and carving our for themselves broken cisterns that could hold no water.

In this or any other context one must glory in the knowledge of the true living God. God is a God of loving-kindness. This Hebrew word actually means covenant loyalty. When God enters into a covenant with another party He is bound by His nature to faithfully and unilaterally dispense his promises. In this case it was judgment and righteousness. There seems to be a logical progression in the order in which these items are listed. Covenant loyalty is the basis of judgment, and God’s judgments are totally upright or righteous. God delights in these attributes in His children because He delights in them in Himself.

We know God hates pridefulness (Prov. 3:34), especially in those who worship false gods. We know that one of the top three Republican presidential candidates worships a false god, and who knows about the other two? From all the bragging one would think they place themselves on par with God. For all his supposed smarts in history and politics Gingrich seems like a real lightweight theologically. Santorum is your standard dispy Arminian evangelical who spouts the right platitudes but, like Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman, and Herman Cain is pretty much a biblical ignoramus.

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear at least one leader wax bold and give glory to the true and living God of the Bible and warn our nation that she is on a collision course with judgment and destruction? But alas, such words are no more popular or politically correct than they were 2,600 years ago. Not much of a meal ticket there.

As for you (and me), let us not lean upon the slender reeds of our own wisdom, might, or riches, lest they break and we are pierced through by them. Let Him who glories glory in the Lord  (1 Cor. 1:31).

Because I worked for over three decades as a pastor of smaller congregations (under 200) I am able to spot the inevitable power dynamics in churches rather easily. Most churches have a “church boss,” a person whose power is unquestioned and through whom all major decisions must pass. The church boss weilds enough money and influence to render the pastor practically impotent. Churches run by such individuals often hire younger inexperienced pastors who will be financially beholden to them and others who hold the purse strings.

When I visit such churches I hear much talk about the need to reach the lost and bring them into the fold. But very little is actually done to accomplish this end because there is little unity of purpose or mission in the congregation. Genuine fellowship is rare, and love is more a topic of discussion than a discipline to be practiced and nurtured.

Recently I visited in a church where the church boss lamented that the forces of Satan were running rampant in the community and seeking to hinder the church’s efforts to reach the lost. The pastor, a young man with excellent expository skills, emphasized the need for love and hospitality as a means of glorifying God and testifying of Christ’s reality to the world. As I scanned the audience during the sermon I noticed the disapproving look of the church boss and a few others of stature in the church. What the pastor was saying was 100% spot on (Preach it, brother!). What good does it do to preach the love of Jesus “out there” only to bring sinners into your loveless church and expose them to the trivial petty power games that are the norm? It takes no genius to notice such things and to be repelled by them.

In Mark Ch. 1 we read of Jesus casting out a demon in the synagogue (church service). There are several such accounts in the gospels. Satan likes to go to church even more than you do (provided you like going). He knows if he can drive wedges between believers and cause them to hold grudges he can thereby gain an opportunity and neutralize the work of the Spirit (Eph. 4:26-27). Stop looking “out there” to see what “Old Slew Foot” is up to and look for his work right under your nose.

To you church bosses who might be reading: Get off the high horse and deflate your head. It’s not your church, your building, or your money. God does not need you and in fact might even want you to get out of the way. You could be just as big a tool of Satan as the flaming pagan down the street frying his brain on drugs.

To you pastors who want to stay the course by preaching the whole counsel of God accurately and faithfully: Don’t give up. Rest assured that there is at least one other person who sees past the outer veneer and picks up the innuendos. Been there. Done that. I think you guys need all the support and encouragement you can get.

I feel bad sometimes for not jumping in to help, but when I see this kind of garbage going on in churches it makes me want to not get involved. I am so fed up with pompous people using the church as an instrument of their own power and control–especially those who proceed from biblical ignorance and unsound theology. Just remember it was a power trip that originally got Satan kicked out of heaven.

Last week a photo surfaced in the media of American Marines uninating on the corpses of fallen Taliban fighters. The outcries from the public ran the gamut of everything from calling for immediate dishonorable discharge to awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor–and all points in between.

Here is a situation where we need to put our feelings aside and ask: what specific rule did these men violate? Matters not what you or I think or feel about the actions of these soldiers. At the end of the day the bottom line is that when these men enlisted they agreed to abide by the code of conduct. If it can be shown clearly by means of an explicit rule in the manual or is otherwise decided on the basis of a more general statute, then they must abide by that ruling. Whether their actions were intrinsically right or wrong, moral or immoral is a secondary issue, one I will talk about momentarily.

By way of analogy, when I applied to go to Bible college I had to sign an agreement stating that I would not use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, and that I would not play cards. I am not a big card player, but I was convinced there was nothing morally wrong, biblically defined, with playing cards. But once I signed the agreement I knew what I was getting myself into, and I was bound to abstain–I believe this was what God would have me do. Honor your commitment. Had I violated and been caught I would have deserved whatever consequences followed.

A week ago I was driving in Bellingham when my cell phone rang. The call was from someone I had been trying to reach for hours, and this particular person is notorious for not answering his phone. Now I am not a big phone talker under any conditions, much less when driving. But knowing that if I did not answer I might not get another chance for awhile, I picked up just long enough to say, “I’m driving up Northwest Avenue, and I will pull over in a minute and call you back.” That was all it took. Within seconds I saw the flashing blue and red lights of one of Bellingham’s finest on a motorcycle. What could I say? He had me dead to rights, to the tune of $125.00.

You might think the seat belt law is stupid. But if you choose to drive you are by so much agreeing to abide by the traffic laws. Now is there something innately sinful or wrong about driving 80 mph, talking on a cell phone, or not buckling a seat belt? Of course not, but when you get behind the wheel you are bound by the biblical principle of Romans 13:1: Obey the governing authorities.

Now back to the Marines. Did they violate a clear biblical principle per se by their actions? The answer is: NO! Peeing on dead bodies of enemy combatants is nowhere condemned either directly or indirectly by the Word of God. If you read the Old Testament you will see David circumcising a hundred dead Philistines and throwing their foreskins at the feet of Saul as a dowry for his daughter. Scripture doesn’t tell us whether what he did was right or wrong. But in the case of Samuel killing the Amalekite king Agag at Gilgal, we are told that he took a sword and hacked him to pieces before the Lord (1 Samuel 15:33). I could site many more examples where the Lord’s people cut off the thumbs and big toes of enemy combatants and beheaded them and hung their bodies on the wall of the city. Then there is the verse that depicts out Lord and Savior gorging the vultures on the corpses of his fallen foes (Revelation 19:21).

None of this is to say the Marines were wise to do what they did. All I am maintaining here is that, biblically defined, their only transgression was of whatever specific military regulation governed their behavior. Outside that I see absolutely nothing morally wrong with their actions. Unwise? Ill-advised? Undiscerning? Absolutely. Intrinsically sinful–categorically not. If you disagree, then give me chapter and verse–in context, properly exegeted. I am sick of hearing all the baseless effeminate outcries of eeeewwwww!!!!!! that was such an icky thing to do! News flash–war is icky.

When I got my cell-phone ticket I threw it on my desk and decided to wait the two-weeks allowed and turn it in on the last day with the box checked where I can go before the judge to explain the mitigating circumstances. Maybe he will cut my fine down considerably–most likely he will, even though I am 100% guilty of the offense.

If I am afforded this kind of leniency for a traffic violation, then when these Marines are judged for their violation of whatever rule or statute it was, should not the mitigating circumstances of being in combat, getting shot at daily, and seeing your comrades maimed and killed in the line of duty somehow demand that they receive leniency? I am sorry, but some of you who think the answer is dishonorable discharge are dear long-time friends. Nevertheless to you I must respectfully conclude that you have your heads up your collective derriere on this one.

Last week I talked on the phone with an old friend after a long hiatus. One of the topics we discussed was how unforgiveness creates so many problems, both personally and relationally. I was reminded of the words of Jesus: For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matt. 6:14-15). I have never interpreted these verses in terms of salvation, but rather of fellowship. As believers we are to be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Eph. 4:32). When we fail to heed this directive a root of bitterness may spring up and pollute our lives and the lives of those around us (Heb. 12:15).

My friend–an award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter–shared one of his latest compositions with me, and I was impressed by its message. It speaks to the need for reconciliation, not just with God but with others as well. I asked him if I could share it on the Swordroom and he was kind enough to consent–with one stipulation. He would like you to comment below after hearing the song in terms of five questions listed below. (The song is in mp3 format).

Song: Unity Comes

This song will be sent to you if all 5 questions are answered. No other promotions or emails will be sent to your address. If you would like a copy write to us using the contact link and we will email the file to you.

1.Did the words of this song, cause you to ask if their is somebody, or perhaps God, you need to make peace with?   YES / NO

2.Would you send this to someone who might be encouraged or challenged by the message of this song?  YES / NO

3.Would you like to receive this song. YES / NO

4.Would you be interested to hear another song from this artist.  YES / NO

5.Can you share in a paragraph or more how unforgiveness has affected yourself or an aquaintence.

Here are a couple of optional side questions I would be curious to hear your responses to: (1) If you had to categorize this song by style or genre, what would you say? (2) Does this artist’s voice remind you of another singer, and if so who?

This is a Canadian award winning songwriter who has been out of circulation for a few years and has recently recorded 11 new songs that are not yet released. He has agreed to let this song be used for discussion and encouragement on the Swordroom site. At this time he wishes his name to remain “un-promoted” (his words).

Or, if you had to choose one thing to go first what would it be? A friend of mine was talking to an older pastor last week at a restaurant after the service. The pastor commented that it mattered little what he ordered off the menu since he had long since lost most of his sense of taste. Can you imagine not being able to tell the difference between a bowl of bland oatmeal and pepperoni pizza? I have known some people whose sense of smell was all but shot. Wow! there is a bagelry right up the street from my office, and one of life’s sweet experiences is to walk past and smell the aroma of fresh bagels cooking.

In my last church the senior elder had run a rock crusher for so many years that you had to look him in the eye and raise your voice or he couldn’t hear you. My dad worked as an airline mechanic for over forty years on the tarmac at Sea Tac International airport, and he is deaf without his hearing aids. I can’t imagine what it would be like to never hear the laughter of my grandchildren. Those of us who subjected our ears to excessively loud rock music in the 60′s are a little hearing impaired but we can at least hear.

David is a good brother in the Lord and frequent visitor to this site. He is totally blind and lives alone in Seattle. He has to use one of those voice-activated computers when he comments on my blogs and has to listen to them rather than read them. I remember once a few years back I went with David to see a play. Along with his sense of hearing and the running commentary whispered in his ear by others, David seemed to enjoy the show as much as anyone present. I cannot imagine living and functioning without my sense of sight.

I have known others who suffered neurological damage as a result of accidents and have lost the sensation of touch. How would I play the guitar in that condition? Many of us are losing little bits of our short-term memory as we age; but imagine what life would be like if you lost all memory of past events, all the way down to your own identity. What would life be like in the absence of the ability to think and reason rationally?

If I had to choose which of my faculties I would want to lose first–well, that’s a hard call. We depend on all our senses to function normally. Putting on our socks in the morning and raising a fork to our mouths would be a challenge without our senses. We need our senses to relate and communicate with others and God. It is with our senses that we experience and appreciate the general revelation in creation and the special revelation deposited in the 66 canonical books of our Bible.

How sad that often we do not appreciate the blessings of God until we lose them. Do not take your senses and conscious faculties for granted. Use them. Celebrate them. Thank God for them. The day might come when that privilege will no longer be yours. Remember too that even though we derive great personal pleasure through our physical senses, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy HIM forever. This means, as Paul tells us in the sixth chapter of romans, do not yield the members of your body as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but yield yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Let not our pleasures be sinful but rather righteous. Pleasure without guilt is so much better!

Of course you should read and study your Bible regularly. But if you are looking for a good Christian book to read let me make a suggestion. Read Pink’s The Sovereignty of God. It is very readable and very edifying. Written 60 years ago, it is as pertinent today as ever. We live in a day when the true God of the Bible is replaced with watered down fakes. This little book serves as an uplifting corrective and source of devotional blessing. And it won’t cost an arm and a leg. Buy it on Amazon and funnel no money to the local trinket and junk emporiums otherwise known as Christian book stores.