Post-Truth

Posted on July 22, 2019 by drgause@agause.com

Simply, stated into today’s language, Satan isn’t flying by the seat of his pants impulsively preparing his strategy every day. No! He works by a calculated blueprint forecasting far into the future. If he included a purpose statement, it says: Overthrow the Lord. Christians recognize many of his tactics and personal attacks. However, the lesser noticed are those that take years to implement and affects the whole of society. Andrei Sakharov made a profound statement that even believers should consider in light of the challenges facing Christianity. Sakharov, ‘the father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb’, later in life turned dissentient and human rights activist. Just before his death he said, “I always thought the most powerful weapon in the world was the bomb. I have changed my mind. The most powerful weapon in the world is not the bomb. It is the truth.”

Knowing this long before Sakharov, the devil has subtly worked for decades to delude what society deems as truth. Three years ago, the Oxford English Dictionary announced ‘post-truth’ as their new word of the year. A new word but not a new concept. Today it has ballooned in academia, media, and our political system. Many now label America as a ‘post-truth’ society. This involves far more than false statements. It is a mindset that has evolved and woven itself into the fabricate of people’s reasoning. Objective truth no longer matters. The dictionary defines ‘post-truth’ as circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeal to emotions and personal belief. Just today an article by Dr. David Jeremiah warned; “Many U.S. churches today have “forgotten” their purpose, becoming entertainment-driven social organizations eager to blend in with secular culture instead of focusing on biblical discipleship” (Christian Post). We all know people who attend church not to hear biblical truth, but rather to be entertained and made to feel good.

In our ‘post-truth’ culture, beliefs like the following surround us. We hear it in the media and by politicians. Educational institutes teach it to our children. Note a few: “All points of view are equally valid, and all truth is relative to the individual.  We create truth not discover it. Truth is what science can prove with verifiable empirical data. Truth isn’t objective or absolute, it is personal and relative.” So, how do we know the truth? Pilate asked Jesus, What is truth (John 18:38)? But instead of wait for a reply, he went out. He was unaware the Truth was standing before him.

Jesus said you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (Jn 8:32). The Holy Spirit has helped me understood Jesus didn’t mean freedom comes through an accumulation of biblical information, which is true. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2Ti 3:16). The Truth Jesus is referring to is Himself. In His final discourse before the crucifixion, He told the disciples, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (Joh 14:6). One small and overlooked word in this verse is vital for us especially in this age—the article “the”.  In the original language, Greek, “the” is not present on every noun. Translators add it to English Bibles for easier reading. Several times in John truth does not have the article. When Pilate asked, “What is truth?”, there is no article, and it literally reads what is ‘a’ truth. When the article “the” is present, it has a significant meaning. It indicates an exclusive individual identity. ‘A’ truth means there are a lot of truths but when a writer added “the”, it refers to one specific truth.

Jesus is not merely ‘a’ truth among many, rather He is the exclusive truth. He is the embodiment of truth. Knowing Jesus as the Truth doesn’t mean everything else is wrong. Many true facts exist but can never contradict the Truth of the Word i.e. Jesus the Word. Note also, He is not just one of many ways, He is the only way and He is the only means of life. Believers are besieged with the belief that only one universal truth exist that it’s always wrong to say someone else’s truth is not true. Only The Truth sets us free from the snare of post-truth. A fact to remember: Truth does not come through the accumulation of information; it comes through a relationship with The Truth. This is what sets you free. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit who He calls the Spirit of Truth. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth (Joh 16:13). Of all powers, He is the sovereign infinite power and lives in us.

Sustaining Word for the Week: Satan has brought the world to a ‘post-truth’ age, but The Truth, more powerful than any other force, abides with us and guides us. How’s your relationship with The Truth?

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Not a Mantra of Biblical Words

Posted on July 15, 2019 by drgause@agause.com

Over and over, as fast as she could, she repeated the phrase, “Praise you Jesus, Praise you Jesus, Praise you Jesus, Praise you Jesus . . .”. Each time a crisis arose this was her response. One still stands out in my mind. Her daughter called and said she had been in a fender bender. You would have though the Intensive Care Unit had called. Immediately, she started, “Praise you Jesus . . .” as she and her husband raced to the scene. The daughter only required a Band-Aid. Don’t stop reading. I’m not mocking this person or belittling the use of Jesus’ name, but this individual illustrates a misconception about praise that Christians can have. True praise is a powerful tool against our enemy, but we must understand what it involves. Praise is not a mantra of biblical words or chanting the name of Jesus.

Scripture records several examples of power through praise. One of the most notable occurred when King Jehoshaphat found himself facing a battle he knew was beyond Judah’s military skills. Their enemies from Moab, Ammon, and Edom formed a coalition because of their mutual desire to destroy the tiny nation. Of course, Jehoshaphat was afraid. He turned his attention to seek the Lord. God spoke through Jahaziel and told the King ‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem’ (2 Chron. 20:17). Jehoshaphat embraced this word and the next day he implemented an unheard-of military strategy. He put the choir ahead of the army. If the battle was the Lord’s, then they were going to show their faith by singing and praising God. So, they marched and sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (v21).

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah (v22 NIV). Can you image what was going through the minds of Judah’s enemies? “Why is Judah singing and praising their God?” These three nations who already didn’t trust one another must have been thinking “I bet Edom has betrayed us.” “Maybe, Ammon has conspired with Jehoshaphat.” Confusion arose and resulted in them destroying each other. The lesson here, praise confuses the enemy. No trust exists with Satan’s armies. Praising God when the devil and demons attack will confuse them. When they see us expressing fear, defeat, worry, panic, etc., they know they are succeeding. So, like Jehoshaphat, we should embrace God’s Word and all its promises and praise the Lord.

Note several lessons about praise. Praise always focuses on God—who He is, His character, His attributes, His greatness. The word simply means to acknowledge His character and works, to commend, to applaud or magnify Him. Years ago a book became popular that taught believers should praise God for their situation. “Praise God, I have a flat-tire.” “Praise God I have cancer.” That’s even more ridiculous as I think back on those who practiced this unbiblical teaching. Judah didn’t praise God that Moab, Ammon, and Edom had come to destroy them. They didn’t even praise God for victory. They praised the person of God for His characteristic of everlasting lovingkindness. Praise turns our attention off ourselves and our problems so we focus on the Lord. Praising God shows we are trusting Him for whatever happens. Habakkuk declared even if all the crops fail and he losses all his livestock, I’m singing joyful praise to God (3:18 MSG).

Jesus distinguishes between true praise and false praise. True praise flows out of the heart. For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart (Mat 12:34). Jesus rebuked the religious leaders; This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me (Matt 15:8). Praise should never drift into a ritual we do on Sunday morning or when trouble arises. Beyond singing and raising our hands, praise must become a lifestyle by living a life according to His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. All the expressions of our being should praise the Lord. True praise happens through a relationship with Christ.

“I don’t feel like praising Him.” Ok, we all feel that way at times but negative emotions result from our circumstances. Praise moves us beyond the problems because praise means to acknowledge His character and works regardless of circumstances. Hebrew says it may be a sacrifice to do so. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God (Heb 13:15). The name of Jesus and praise must not become merely a mantra of biblical words.

Sustaining Word for the Week: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Ps 100:4 NIV).

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Useless or Useful

Posted on July 8, 2019 by drgause@agause.com

The earthquake, estimated between 6.5 and 7.1 magnitude, destroyed the city. Soon agencies equivalent to FEMA, Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, and World Relief (i.e. Roman government) appeared offering help. The response was unlike any they had ever received. “We don’t need your aid. We will rebuild from our own wealth and resources.” And that they did. The year was 61 A.D. and the city was Laodicea. Because of its strategic location astride two major trade routes, it became one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world as a center of banking and finances. Three cities, Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossae formed a triangle known as the “tri-city” area. Although Paul didn’t personally plant the church, his disciple Epaphras did. Probably just prior to the earthquake Paul refers to the church five times in his letter to the Colossian Church which he instructed them to read in the Church of Laodicea.

By 96 A.D. when John recorded his vision in the Book of Revelation, Jesus rebuked them as a church with nothing for which He could praise them. He had only condemnation. To accurately interpret Jesus’ message to the church of Laodicea it is foundational to understand the importance of the region’s landscape. Jesus is comparing the conditions created by the typography to the spiritual condition of the church. Six miles north of Laodicea was Hierapolis famous for its hot springs thought to have healing properties where people from many regions came to soak their ailing bodies. Eleven miles east of Laodicea was Colossae that was noted for its cold springs of refreshing water that bubbled out of the ground. Both cities were sources of useful waters.

Laodicea had no natural source of water. Because no water springs were located near Laodicea, this forced the city to bring in water from Hierapolis by means of an aqueduct. But by the time it flowed down from the hot springs, the 95° water was lukewarm, tepid, warm and gritty from the aqueduct leaving a smelly poor-quality water. Unlike the hot waters useful for therapy and hot baths or the cold waters useful for a refreshing drink, people considered the lukewarm water useless. Laodicea’s water was neither therapeutic nor refreshing. If an unknowing person traveling by took a drink, they would immediately spew it out. This is the imagery behind Jesus’ reprimand.

Jesus says, I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot (Rev 3:15). He did not mean if we aren’t a spiritually hot believer that He would rather we be spiritually cold or not even a believer. This is a misinterpretation based on modern culture. The words for ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ don’t refer to the spiritual temperature. He is saying, “I wish you were either useful like the hot therapeutic waters of Hierapolis or useful like the cold refreshing water of Colossae. Instead, you are useless like the water of your city that makes Me puke.” He tells them why: Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing” (3:17).

They believed their material wealth was evidence of divine favor leading them to an attitude of self-sufficient. After the earthquake the city refused help from the Roman government. Jesus brings a reality check to the hubris church admonishing them for assuming they were also spiritually self-sufficient. His message, you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Material wealth never indicates divine favor. Sufficiency comes only through Christ whether you are wealthy or poor. Believers never reach a point they don’t need Him.

Note Jesus hadn’t abandoned or given up on them. I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see (3:18). They could again be useful Christians. Neither was Jesus far away. Behold, I stand at the door and knock (v20). Are you still a useful believer? Or have you fallen into an attitude neutral or indifferent in matters of faith and become useless? Anyone who feels it’s not an important matter, just imagine Jesus leaning over vomiting.

Sustaining Word for the Week: Do you hear Him knocking and calling? Open the door, let Him come in and share a meal. Ask Him to make you useful again.

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Check Your Attitude

Posted on July 1, 2019 by drgause@agause.com

It’s like bad breath, everybody, except you, knows it. Unlike the sins of adultery, lying, stealing which one should immediately realizes, it can gradually creep into our life unnoticed until it traps us into an attitude of grumbling. You become the only one who is unaware of this bad attitude. If a spouse or friend tries to tell you, you only deny it and grumble.

The most vivid example of an attitude of grumbling comes from the children of Israel. They grumbled in Egypt and throughout their forty years in the wilderness. They grumbled when Pharaoh stopped providing straw to make bricks because Moses and Aaron tried to gain their freedom. After the exodus, when they reached the Red Sea and the Egyptian army was in pursuit, they grumbled. Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?  Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’ (Exo 14:11, 12)?

Israel witnessed God’s great power in their crossing of the Red Sea and the Lord destroying Pharaoh’s army. They feared the Lord, trusted Him, and sang a song of praise. But as is often the case the trust and praise of a grumbler is short lived. Within three days on their journey finding no water they came to the waters of Marah, but the waters were bitter. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink” (15:24). God was faithful and showed Moses how to make the water sweet. Then the Lord blessed them, they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters (15:27). You would think after seeing God provide their needs, they would have an attitude of gratitude. No! No! Now they were hungry.

Again they grumbled, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger”  (16:3). God provided them with manna. But soon they grumbled they didn’t have meat; God brought quail. They were unhappy they had to gather the manna daily instead of enough for several days. Back on the journey camping at Rephidim they grumbled. “Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst” (17:3)? Again, God provided water from a rock He commanded Moses to strike. Did the grumbling stop? Not a chance. We read of it all through their journey. Even, when they arrived at the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb, two of the twelve spies, saw a land flowing with milk and honey. The grumblers saw nothing but giants and fortified cities. All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron (Num 14:2). 

An attitude of grumbling is more than expressing a lack of something you need. The words for attitude mean finding fault with one’s lot, a mindset, an exercise of the mind and not a temporary emotion. An attitude of grumbling isn’t a singular instance of complaining, it is a habitual lifestyle of murmuring. It blinds people from all the blessings God has provided. All grumblers think about is what they don’t have, but never see and give thanks for the abundance of what they do have. We can always find something to grumble about—it’s too hot, it’s too cold; the sermon was too long; my son doesn’t love me, but you have four others who do; we can grumble about imaginary problems we fear might happen. When God blesses you, the response is, “it won’t last”.

Yet, we have far more for which we can be grateful. NASV translates Colossians 4:2, Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. Believers are to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18 NIV); give thanks is a command. Note also it does not say give thanks “for” your circumstances, but “in”. You say, “I don’t feel like it”. Then offer a sacrifice of praise. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise (Heb 13:15). Paul tells us, These things happened to them [Israel] as examples and were written down as warnings for us . . . (1 Cor 10:11 NIV). Be warned and take on an attitude of thanksgiving. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me (Ps 50:23). This week write down all you have to thank Him for and let your attitude be gratitude.

Sustaining Word for the Week: “Be grateful and you won’t grumble. Grumble and you won’t be grateful.”

(Billy Graham)

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