“Eljah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word.” 1st Kings 18:21

Esteemed author Henry Blackaby defines an idol as, “Any person(s), thing or way that substitutes for God in a life.” Sadly, idolatry is alive and well in America, even among those who would describe themselves as Christians! Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we heed the counsel of Elijah and the Scriptures!

We need to repair the altar of the Lord (v 30). The prophet first restored its anchor using twelve stones, the number denoting the number of the sons of Jacob before his name was changed by the Lord to Israel, which means ‘ruling with God’ (v 31). He then rebuilt the structure (v 32) in the name of the Lord! It is noteworthy that before any vessels were placed in the tabernacle (or later in the Temple), they were anointed with oil beforehand, setting them apart for the Lord’s exclusive use! Paul, later in New Testament times wrote to the church in Corinth to remind them, ‘You are not your own. You have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God.” The altar of the Lord is no longer a physical structure, but a spiritual one in the heart!

Secondly, we need to restore our allegiance to Him (vv 33-35). Our allegiance and devotion to the Lord is not complete (meaningful) until all of self is on the altar. We need to always keep in mind that full allegiance means full surrender. Both the wood for the fire and the meat for the fragrance must be offered! Remember, it is always easier to put one’s sins on the altar than it is to put oneself there! In the Old Testament book of Malachi the people of Israel were charged with robbing God! Yet, they were already giving 10% of their income. The fact is they were sacrificing their diseased and crippled livestock; their blighted and infested crops! This in no way describes devotion/allegiance to the Lord.

Finally, we need to demonstrate respect for the Lord’s authority (v 36). This is the point Elijah is seen to be an implementer, not an innovator. He was telling the people what the Lord told him to tell! He was doing what the Lord told him to do! In this way only is the true God revealed (vv 37-39). In addition this is when any false gods are rejected (v 40). Gladys Aylward was a missionary to China during World War II. She was charged with the protection and care of 100 Chinese orphans. Word was received that the Japanese army was approaching, and they were killing all Christian missionaries and Chinese converts. The only escape was hundreds of miles away across the mountains. As Ms. Aylward said to one of the orphans, “I am not Moses!” One of the children replied, “But God is still God!” When we depend wholly on God, He shows Himself to be dependable!

As the foundations of America seem to disintegrate, and the influence of the Church continues to decline, are we failing to learn from our spiritual forefathers? Have we substituted any person(s), thing or way for God in our life? If so, may God grant us the humility and honesty to confess it the Lord and accept His forgiveness and restoration!

Jon Moore

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself!” James 2:14-17 NASB

When the theologian John Calvin was asked to comment on the seeming difference between the teaching of Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9, and that of James in James 2:14-17, he said, “The bible teaches we are not saved by good works, but saved to good works; not by faith plus works, but faith that works!” Is there a contradiction in the Bible, or is it more likely a mis-interpretation?

James 2:14-26

THE COMPLETION OF FAITH!

James begins this discussion by pointing out an obvious imitation of faith by stating “that” faith in verse 14! He describes this fake by calling it one who merely “says” he has faith!

Then he gives us two characteristics of this pitiful imitation. First, James says this fake faith is seen to have an absence of deeds (vv 15-16). The answer to the question in v 16 is obvious. If one refuses to meet the basic needs of another person, that is useless. Not only is there an absence of deeds, but there is the presence of death (v 17)! Make-believe faith produces only make-believe life. Consider the One Who shares His life with us when we put our faith in Him. Jesus not only went everywhere preaching and teaching the gospel, but He went everywhere doing good! (Acts 10:38)

But we need to be aware that imitations usually arise out of misconceptions, and that is true here. This pitiful imitation of God-given faith arose out of a perverted conception of faith! Note the false division between faith and works. Godly works are the blooms on the plant that identifies God-given faith (v 18). Take note not only of the false division, but also of the fatal subtraction (v 19). Faith is more than a passive intellectual exercise. It is the difference between knowing about what is said, and knowing the One Who is speaking! Separating faith and works is deadly!

Finally, see the proper expression of faith (vv 21-26). To be properly related our works are to correspond to our faith (vv 21-24). It is the opposite of passiveness, laziness. And it is the same for every person, the same for patriarch to converted prostitute-(22b,25). God-given faith has one expression, God empowered works!

After John the Baptist was imprisoned, he sent messengers to Jesus, asking if He was the Messiah, or “should we look for another?” the Lord told the messengers to go back and tell John what He (Jesus) was doing (John 7:18-22)! The clearest evidence of Who Jesus was, was what He was doing! The same is true of you, and the same is true of me!

Jon Moore

“By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish…for time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms…and others were tortured…They were stoned, they were sawn in two…they went about…being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated…wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:31-40

We live in stressful times. Some would say, historically stressful! One major source of stress is unfulfilled expectations. Often, for a Christian the major cause of stress is unbiblical expectations! Should a Christian always win? Be rich? Be healthy? Be successful? Hebrews 11 reveals some interesting case studies that vary dramatically!

Some had sensational deliverances. After all, Jesus is our Deliverer (Psalm 18:2)! There is a list of well-known Old Testament ‘heroes’ in verses 31-32, and an interesting thing about each one is that each one (for example, David) had a flawed testimony, which only emphasizes God’s grace and mercy! At the same time, others are described anonymously who led in military victories, performed acts of righteousness and carried out miraculous works in vv32-35a. It becomes abundantly clear that the author of the letter of Hebrews in chapter 11 is emphasizing that nothing is outside of the scope of God’s power in the life and ministry of one living by faith in Christ!

Yet, equal emphasis by the author of the letter is that sometimes those who live by faith experience spectacular difficulties in verses 35b-38. Clearly, the lesson to be learned is that faith is not some kind of earthly insurance that always delivers us out of difficulties, but when we operate by faith we can be delivered in our difficulties! Some deliberately choose the unseen realities of eternity than the seen rewards of the earthly (see verse 35b; also verses 24-25). Other instances of affliction and abuse are clearly devilishly concocted (verses 36-38). Whatever the case it often takes greater faith to embrace than it does to escape!

Perhaps the most important lesson to be earned from this chapter is that whatever the Christian faces in life is brought about by supernatural design! The Believer is not at the mercy of whim, or happenstance, but lives his or her life in faith that their steps are ordered by the Lord (see Psalm 37:23). Missionaries were expelled from Ethiopia prior to, and during World War II. Twenty years later Christian missionaries were allowed back in, only to discover that after twenty years of abuse and opposition, the Christians were greater in number and spiritually stronger than before!

1-The prophet Jeremiah was delivered from the hand of the wicked King Jehoiakim. Uriah the prophet was put to death by the same king. By faith one lived, and by faith one died, both to the glory of God!

2-Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Jon Moore

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” Hebrews 12:1

The Hebrews in the Old Testament that were converted out of Judaism through faith in Jesus Christ were persecuted to the point of utter discouragement, and discouragement continues to be a challenge today for believers in Christ! The enduring challenge in the Christian life, as well as Christian ministry remains “growing weary in heart” (v 3b)! The author of the letter to converted jews continues to speak to Believers today about both how to recover from discouragement and how to prevent it!

The instruction is written in an athletic context, and our life and ministry are seen as a race to be run! The witnesses are to be seen as examples for and to us, not so much as their witnessing of us. In light of their examples, we should put away any distractions, or defilements that distract us from running the race and run with endurance the race that is set before us (v 1b).

Just as these men and women did before us, we should fix our eyes on Jesus (v 2a, 3a), the One Who was and is the Author (Forerunner) and the Perfector (Finisher) of our faith, despite the fact the race is characterized by a difficult and painful racetrack! Just as the Union soldiers testified that marching from Manchester to Gettysburg to make a victorious difference. They called it, “the hardest experience of the long war experience!” Yet, because Jesus purchased our redemption, we can persevere in the race!

What should be our expectation for running the race that our Lord has set before us? First of all completing our Heavenly Father’s will, “Let us” (v 1a)! Keep foremost in your heart and mind that in finishing His race, Jesus suffered for our sins, then He “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (v 2b)! Keep in mind, there was no chair in the temple in the old testament, because the work of the priesthood was never finished! But Jesus “sat down” after his finished work! This speaks of a certain Hope Believers now have. This makes the Cross we bear the preamble to a victorious and celebrated victory in heaven!

The book of Hebrews emphasizes the crucial importance of Hope, not uncertain hope, but the sure Hope we are given in Christ! Trusting Christ in the midst of the challenges of our race releases His power enabling us to endure!

Jon Moore