Down an Unfamiliar Road

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NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

by Dr. Robert R. Seyda

FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

INTRODUCTION (Lesson III) 10/07/20

Maybe after reading this touching story, you will see things about love here in John’s first Epistle that you never saw before. Why is God’s love so consequential and loving God, and each other is so necessary? I’m willing to believe that this young man’s experience provides the element of respect for which all Christian families can identify with when a child, once dedicated to God, goes astray. Still, the Holy Spirit was able to lead them back to their rightful place in the congregation of believers.

It is essential to know that John Chrysostom also validates this story of John’s young friend while assisting Theodore of Mopsuetia, who fell away into heresy. When believers petitioned Theodore to help those in his area suffering through a famine, he refused by saying he was far from having any confidence he could do so because his sins were always on his mind as though they had just taken place. In other words, Theodore felt unworthy to believe God could use him in that way. So, when Chrysostom went to guide Theodore back to the truth, he listened to everything he experienced. He then persuaded him to pray for those dealing with the famine. So, Theodore prayed, and God put an end to the drought.

Chrysostom then relates what happened to that young man who was at first a disciple of John, the son of Zebedee, but afterward became a robber chief for a long time. However, once the blessed Apostle John held the young fallen brother with holy hands, he returned to his former level of Christian virtue. In the same way, Chrysostom encouraged Theodore not to misunderstand. He knew as much about the truth as Chrysostom did. The preacher often heard Theodore admiring the Apostle John’s great humility and how, first of all, John kissed the young man’s blood-stained hand. Then, embracing him, he brought him back to his former spiritual condition.^[1]

We also find an interesting discussion on the subject respecting Easter, Baptism, Fasting, Marriage, the Eucharist, and additional Ecclesiastical Rites. It had become an issue because not all the congregations of believers celebrated these holy days on the same day. Early church scholar, Socrates Scholasticus (380-439 AD), notes this routine in his Ecclesiastical History. Eusebius addressed the celebration of Easter after the vernal equinox and his book “The Life of Constantine.” Rome issued this order so that the churches in Western, Southern, Northern, and some in the East of the Roman Empire were to observe this protocol. Emperor Constantine chose the date of March 21 to celebrate Easter.

Therefore, says Socrates Scholasticus, this date was observed in Rome, throughout Italy, Africa, Egypt, Spain, France, Britain, Libya, Greece, the diocese of Asia and Pontus, and Cilicia. That is despite the fact there are plenty of other churches in these areas that did not. Some said, in picking the right date, we must have nothing in common with the treacherous Jews. Yet, what is most interesting is that according to Socrates, most Christians in those days celebrated Easter on the 14^th day of the Jewish month of Nisan (late March to early April). They say that this date was given to them by the Apostle John, whereas the vernal equinox’s celebration was the Apostles Peter and Paul’s preference.^[2]

Polycarp (69-155 AD) was a disciple of the Apostle John and ordained by him as Bishop of Smyrna and chief Bishop of Asia. Many Apostles that saw Jesus in the flesh became teachers under John’s supervision. Specific questions arose concerning the Passover’s day, so John went to Rome in the time of the emperor Antoninus Pius while Anicetus ruled the church in that city. He led many believers who were deceived through Marcion and Valentinus’s persuasion^[3] back to the faith. One day, Marcion and Valentinus met Polycarp by chance and asked, “Do you know who we are?” Polycarp replied, “Yes, I recognize the firstborn of the devil.”

But that wasn’t the only time John rebuked a heretic. Eusebius writes that there was an unbelieving agnostic named Cerinthus (50-100 AD) around this same time.^[4] He was the author of several heretical books by revelations he pretended were written by some great apostle, revealing marvelous things that he falsely claims were shown only to him by angels. He claims that after the resurrection, the Anointed One will set up His kingdom and that people dwelling in Jerusalem will again be subject to desires and pleasures.

According to Irenaeus (130-202 AD), in the first book of his work Against Heresies, he mentions some more horrendous false doctrines written by Cerinthus. Then, in Irenaeus’ third book he relates a story which deserves to read. He says, on the authority of Polycarp, that the Apostle John once entered a bath to bathe; but, upon learning that Cerinthus was inside, he jumped up rushed out the door, for he could not bear to remain under the same roof with him. And he advised those that were with him to do the same, saying, “Let’s run just in case the bath collapses with Cerinthus inside, for he is the enemy of the truth.”^[5]

Afterward, during the reign of Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus in the fourth persecution after Nero, Polycarp was brought to court at Smyrna and all the people in the Amphitheater cried out against Polycarp to be burned. This Christian hero wrote a valuable Epistle to the Philippians, which believers read to the present day in Asia’s meetings.^[6] In other words, just like the Apostle John, his mentor, and Jesus, his Master, Polycarp, did not mince words. He told the truth and, as a result, died as a martyr of the faith.

Leaping from Polycarp in 200 AD to Reformer John Calvin, in 1500 AD, Irenaeus makes this observation: In this first epistle, the Apostle John wants to set before us the only true contentment God was willing to confer on us through His only Son. John meant this to lift our thoughts to things above. To do this, it requires that the truth must be absolute and provable. Thus, it became the main subject of what he says here in these opening verses.

When we examine these words from John: “what we have seen, what we have heard, and what we have looked on,” it strengthens our faith in the Gospel. John does not make such assertions without any reasoning. Our salvation depends on the Gospel and its reliability to the highest degree. We all know by experience how hard it is sometimes to believe what we cannot see. As Calvin says: To understand is not lightly to form an opinion or to assent only to what is said, but a firm, absolute conviction, so we may dare to subscribe to the truth as fully proven. It is for this reason that the Apostle heaps together so many things in confirmation of the Gospel.

James Macknight (1721-1800), well known for his Harmony of the Gospels, gives us a clear picture that the John who wrote the Gospel and the John who wrote this Epistle was the same. He compares a Scripture verse in both documents to show their similarity: Following Verses come from the NIV.

FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN	GOSPEL OF JOHN
1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;	1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
2:5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:	14:3 Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.	15:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me
2:8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.	13:34a A new command I give you: Love one another.
3:11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.	13:34b As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
2:8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.	1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 1:9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
2:10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.	11:10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.
2:13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.	17:3a Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God.
2:14 I write to you, dear children because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.	17:3b And Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
2:29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.	3:3 “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 3:5 “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.	1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.	17:24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”
3:8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.	8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.	15:20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.	3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.	1:18  No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known
5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God	20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
5:14 If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.	14:14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
5:20 We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.	17:2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

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[1] Chrysostom: On the Priesthood, Ascetic Treatises, Select Homilies and Letters, Homilies on the Statues, The Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, Vol. 9, An Exhortation to Theodore After His Fall, Letter 1, p. 184

[2] Socrates Scholasticus: The Ecclesiastical History, Bk. 5, Ch. 22, p. 302

[3] Marcion believed that Jesus was the savior sent by God, and Paul the Apostle was his chief apostle, but he rejected the Hebrew Bible and the God of Israel. Marcionists believed that the wrathful Hebrew God was a separate and lower entity than the all-forgiving God of the New Testament. The doctrine, practices and beliefs of Valentinus and the Gnostic movement that bore his name were condemned as heretical by proto-orthodox church leaders and scholars. Prominent Church Fathers such as Irenaeus of Lyons and Hippolytus of Rome wrote against Gnosticism. Because early church leaders encouraged the destruction of Gnostic texts, most evidence for the Valentinian theory comes from its critics and detractors, most notably Irenaeus, since he was especially concerned with refuting Valentinianism.

[4] Agnostic refers to a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.

[5] The Church History of Eusebius, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 1, Bk. 3, Ch. 28, p. 240

[6] Jerome, Lives of Illustrious Men, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Vol. 3, Ch. 17, p. 741

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NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

by Dr. Robert R. Seyda

FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

INTRODUCTION (Lesson II) 10/06/20

Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria (BC 25-50 AD), noted for his comprehension of the early congregations of believers and the writings of the Final Covenant, especially those of Paul, John, and Hebrews. We must not forget that the Final Covenant documents were written in Greek by authors who were Jews (of course, now committed to understanding Jesus as Lord, the Anointed One) who were part of the Hellenistic culture of the Græco-Roman world.^[1]

Another thing we find out about the Apostle John was that one of his followers was Papias (60-163 AD). He was Bishop of the Congregation in Hierapolis, a city of Phrygia close to Laodicea and Colossæ. Later, writers affirmed his martyrdom about 163 AD, some say in Rome and others in Pergamos. Papias was a disciple of the Apostle John and on close personal terms with many who knew the Lord and His apostles. From them, he gathered the stories going around about the sayings of our Lord and wove them into a book divided into five volumes. This work was not limited to an exposition of the Anointed One’s sayings but also contained much historical information. Eusebius speaks of Papias as a man most learned in all things, and well acquainted with the Scriptures. In another passage, he describes him as having a small frame.^[2]

About A.D. 100, Justin Martyr was born. The anonymous Epistle to Diognetus was written during his time. Six of its chapters contain indisputable recollections of John’s first Epistle. Martyr wrote the Epistle to the Churches of Vienne and Lyons in 177 AD. He quotes 1 John 3:16. Carpocrates, the Gnostic, lived in Alexandria, Egypt at the beginning of the second century. He tried to pervert 1 John 5:19, “The whole world lies in [control of] the evil one.” Irenæus cites three passages from John’s first Epistle, mentioning its author, and Eusebius says this piece of evidence in precisely the same manner as that from Papias. Clement of Alexandria was born about 150 AD. Like Irenæus, he quotes passages from John’s first Epistle, naming the author. So also, Tertullian, born about the same time, Origen, and the succeeding Fathers. About 170 AD, a Canon of the New Testament was drawn up by a teacher to use catechumens. The name now attached to it is Muratori, who discovered and printed it in 1740 AD.[3]

Papias was one of the foremost leaders in Asia Minor found written about in Eusebius, Irenaeus, and Polycarp’s writings.^[4]  Further, historical accounts inform us that other apostolic leaders would make the trek to Ephesus to hear John recount stories about Jesus and listen to the Apostle’s teaching. Ancient traditions originating in Ephesus also inform us that John’s tomb is in Ephesus. Therefore, it is not speculation to assume that the Apostle John was an evangelist, congregation planter, and pastor in the Mediterranean world whose firsthand knowledge of Jesus’ life, and who interlaced His teachings and ministry into this first Epistle.  As to the audience, we will say more about them as we examine this Epistle further, but there is little doubt that John directed it toward Christians who were already part of the Body of the Anointed One.

Furthermore, Hermas (115-140 AD) cites or alludes to this Epistle. It was also named as authentic by Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD), Cyril of Jerusalem (315-136 AD), and Augustine (400 AD). So, this was not something penned during medieval times in John’s name. Such admiration for these early church scholars can only add to our respect and reverence for what John wrote here in this Epistle. Tertullian, a prolific early Christian writer from Carthage in Africa between 155-240 AD, made this comment: “Read the testimony of John: ‘That which we have seen, which we have heard, which we have looked upon with our eyes, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life.”^{[5] [6]} Not only does Tertullian quote from John’s first Epistle, but does so as though it was already accepted as genuine and known among early believers as a message from a true apostle of the Anointed One.

We find that Bible researchers have assembled many Scriptural passages from this epistle representing a summary of Biblical faith to use in answering the question, “What do you believe?” One of the fifteen they included is where John says: “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus the Anointed One came to earth in human form is from God.”^[7] To deny this, says John, is inspired by the spirit of antichrist.^[8]

Then we have a narrative shared by church historian Eusebius (260-339 AD), about the Apostle and evangelist John while he was still living in Asia and governing the congregations of believers of that region. After he returned from his exile on Patmos Isle following the death of Roman emperor Domitian, his being alive at that time can be established by the testimony of two witnesses. They should be trustworthy who have maintained the Church’s orthodoxy, and such indeed were Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria.

Eusebius first lists Irenæus in his second book, Against Heresies. There we read that the elders associated with John bear witness this story, John told them, while he remained with them until the time of Emperor Trajan. And in his third book on the same subject, he attests the same thing in the following words: “The church in Ephesus, which was founded by Paul, and where John pastored until the time of Emperor Trajan, is also a witness of this story which was part of apostolic tradition.” Clement likewise, in his book entitled “What Rich Man Can be Saved?” indicates the time and attaches a narrative that is most attractive to those that enjoy hearing what is beautiful and rewarding.

Eusebius then suggests that we read the account, which runs as follows: Listen to this story, which is not a simple fairytale, but an accurate narrative concerning John the Apostle, handed down and treasured up in memory. After the Roman tyrant Trojan’s death, John returned from the Isle of Patmos to Ephesus. He received invitations to visit the neighboring Gentile territories. There he appointed Bishops, and in some places, set congregations in order. In other areas, they asked him to choose for the ministry the ones pointed out to him by the Holy Spirit.

When John arrived at one of the cities not far away, he counseled the brethren on several matters. Then, he spotted a young man of powerful physique, of pleasing appearance, and striking character. Turning to the Bishop, John said, “In all earnestness, I present this young man to you in the presence of the congregation, with the Anointed One as my witness.” The Bishop accepted the charge and promised to do his best; John repeated the same injunction with an appeal to the same witnesses and then departed for Ephesus.

This narrative by Eusebius is long, so I’ll summarize it. He took the young man he chose home with him. There he looked after him, baptized, and taught him. As the boy grew older, John relaxed his strict routine, satisfied that the Lord’s seal he placed on him provided perfect protection. But some young men of his age, idle, immoral, and accustomed to doing wrong, were able to make friends with him. At first, they took him along and paid all the costs for entertainment. They then talked him into going with them at night to commit robbery to pay for their expenses.

Finally, they demanded that he join the gang to commit even greater crimes. He gradually became accustomed to such practices. Like a horse freed from its harness, he rushed fast down into the depths. By so doing, he quit reading and meditating on John’s teachings lost all interest in serving God. As a result, he became a bold bandit-chief, the most violent, most bloody, cruelest of them all. So when the elders of the churches he visited earlier sent someone for John to send back the young man to help them in the ministry. That’s when John groaned and burst into tears as he said, “He’s dead! “How did he die, they asked?” “He is dead to God!” moaned John.

Nevertheless, John called for a horse and asked that he be taken to these robbers’ den. But the lookouts captured him when he entered their safe area and quickly took him, prisoner. But John did not resist or try to escape. He told the sentinels that he came to see their leader. Word reached the chief bandit, standing defiantly, holding his weapons. But as soon as he recognized the Apostle John, he turned in shame to flee, cutting his hand as he dropped his dagger. But John, forgetting his age, pursued him crying out, “Why, my son, are you running away? I’m your spiritual father, I carry no arms, and I’m old. Have pity on me, for I still believe there is hope for you. Someday I will have to give an account to the Anointed One for you. And if I must, I’ll gladly die for you even as the Lord died for us. Believe that the Anointed One has sent me to get you.”

When the young man heard this, he stopped, he threw away his weapons and trembled as he wept bitterly. And when John approached, he embraced him with both arms while the young man only embraced him with one arm as he confessed his sin with remorse as best he could. As a result, with tears of repentance, he submitted to be rebaptized. The young man, falling to his knees, pleaded with the Anointed One for forgiveness. Then John reached out and took the bloody hand the young man was holding behind his back and kissed it to show that he was still worthy of God’s love. They left the robber’s den, and John took him back to the congregation. There they found the believers making intercession for him with many prayers. They say that John did not leave until he restored the young man to the congregation, which furnished everyone as a great example of true repentance and a great example of regeneration, a perfect illustration of a spiritual resurrection.^[9]

[1] Philo, The Works of, Hendrickson publishers, 1993, Trans. C. D. Yonge, An Introduction to Philo Judæus of Alexandria, Forward by David M. Scholer, p.10

[2] Introduction to the Fragments of Papias: The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, pp. 278

[4] Polycrates: Letter written to Victor, Bishop of Rome, in late second century as recorded in Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History 3:31.3; 5.24.2

[3] See Tregelles’ Canon Muratorianus, Oxford, 1867, pp. 1, 81-89

[5] Cf. John 1:1

[6] Tertullian: A Treatise on the Soul, Ch. 17: “Fidelity of the Senses, Impugned by Plato, Vindicated by Christ Himself.”

[7] 1 John 4:2

[8] Creeds of the Church: Bible Creeds, Books For The Ages, op. cit., p. 5

[9] Eusebius, Church History, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 1, Bk. 3, Narrative Concerning John the Apostle, Ch. 23, pp. 232-233

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NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

by Dr. Robert R. Seyda

FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

INTRODUCTION (Lesson I) 10/05/20

It is a historical fact that theologians traditionally held that the Apostle John composed these three epistles at Ephesus, as part of his ministry as Bishop, following his exile on the Isle of Patmos. The content, language, and writing style are very similar to the Gospel of John. In fact, by the 1800s, Bible scholar Ernest DeWitt Burton (1856-1925) wrote that there could be “no reasonable doubt” that the same author wrote John’s first Epistle and his Gospel.^[1] And theology professor Amos Wilder (1895-1903) said that “Early Christian tradition and the great majority of modern scholars have agreed on the common authorship of these writings, even when not identifying the Apostle John as the author.” This majority view is typified by the Swiss Reformer Johannes Œcolampadius (1482-1531), who, in summarizing the career of the beloved Apostle, refers to his first Epistle as “the purest Gospel.”^[2]

However, other modern scholars have challenged this position. But they are not the first. Isho‘dad of Merv, Bishop of Haditha (c. 850 AD), complains that many erred by supposing the Apostle John wrote it. Had they investigated the matter, they would see that the thought, shape, and authority of this letter are significantly inferior to the sound words of the Evangelist. Although John’s authorship of the three epistles is still almost universally accepted, Bible scholars such as Heinrich Julius Holtzmann and Charles H. Dodd have maintained that different authors wrote the Epistles and the Gospel. There are at least two principal arguments for this view. First, the Epistle often uses a demonstrative pronoun at the beginning of a sentence,^[3] then a particle or conjunction, followed by an explanation or definition of the pronoun at the end of the sentence. John does not use such stylistic techniques in his Gospel. The second is that the author of the Epistle “uses the conditional sentence” in a variety of hypothetical rhetorical figures which are unknown to the Gospel.

However, I find too many similarities in the way the author of John’s Gospel and the Epistles express faith and belief in the Word being none other than Yeshua of Nazareth, the Messiah. Therefore, it is hard to imagine anyone being able to duplicate that so frequently. None of the early Apostles or the disciples of John, such as Polycarp, knew about this. If they knew, they failed to mention it. Perhaps John, like Paul, used a stenographer to write what he dictated. But the sense and feeling of what they wrote are that of the Evangelist John.

Wilhelm Martin Leberecht De Wette (1780-1849) notes that the author of this composition does not call himself the Apostle John, nor does the author of the fourth Gospel, merely an eyewitness of the history of Jesus. However, in the Second and Third Epistles, he calls himself an “elder.” It may not be a title, but it probably distinguishes him from a younger writer by the same name. We can be sure that both the Epistle and Gospel flow from the same quill. That is because both bear the distinct stamp of personal relationships. Not only that, but the text also has the same style of writing and development of thought. Both the Epistles and Gospel cast similar congenial spells of human feeling over the reader. Leberecht goes on to note that this Epistle is attested to by unanimous voices of antiquity. Papias, Polycarp, and Irenaeus, Polycarp’s disciple.^[4]

In 1889, at a theological conference at Giessen, Germany, on the 20^th of June, Protestant theologian Emil Schürer stated that the two parties, those who maintain and those who deny the Johannine authorship of the Fourth Gospel were now approaching reconciliation.^[5] This agreement and confidence in the Apostle John being the writer should bleed over into his Epistles. Unfortunately, the “deny” party seems to have grown. As to the period in which John wrote this manuscript, there is consistent evidence that after visiting or starting congregations in Asia Minor,^[6] he relocated to Ephesus during the Jewish War of 66-70 AD.

There is some hint that Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37-100 AD), who lived at the same time as the Apostle John, may have been familiar with Apocalypse writings in the Book of Revelation.^[7] For instance, “For there broke out an extraordinary storm during the night, with the utmost violence, and powerful winds, with the most massive showers of rain, with frequent lightning, terrible thunderings, and amazing concussions and bellowings of the earth, that was in an earthquake. These things were a visible indication that some type of destruction was coming upon humanity when the world system brought disorder, and anyone could guess that these wonders foreshowed some grand calamities on their way.”^[8]

When John speaks about the dividing of Jerusalem into three parts,^[9] we see that Josephus used similar language. He told that the uprising at Jerusalem started up again and parted into three factions. These factions began fighting one another. This partitioning of evil forces, says Josephus, may be said to be a good thing and the effect of divine justice. Furthermore, John mentions about an incredible hailstorm with large hailstones weighing one talent. Josephus said that the hailstones covered two furlongs^[10] and farther. The pounding they brought was unmanageable, not only by those that stood in the way but by those that were beyond them for a great distance. As for the Jews, they at first watched the coming of the hail, for it was white, and could, therefore, was not only perceived by the loud noise it made but seen by its brightness.

Furthermore, if you have read any of my other commentaries, you noticed that I seldom use the title “Christ” because I prefer the term “the Anointed One.” Here is an excellent article laying out the reasons for that decision and will help give more depth to an understanding of how the original meaning of what Christ means got lost in the translations. Here is an explanation:

One of the interpretive debates about 1 John among scholars today is how to construe the Greek word the Anointed One referencing Jesus. The Greek adjective derives from the cognate verb chriō, which means to anoint. In the First Covenant, the word Messiah similarly derives from the Hebrew verb “to anoint.” So, in the ancient Greek translation of the First Covenant (the Septuagint (LXX)), references to the Messiah were translated with the Greek word the Anointed One.   In the Final Covenant, the sense of the word develops as the true nature of Jesus is progressively revealed. In the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles the Anointed One was often used to identify Jesus as the Messiah, “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah [Christou] the son of David, the son of Abraham;”[11] or in Peter’s answer, “You are the Messiah [the Anointed One].”[12] After His resurrection and further spiritual illumination, the appellation, the Anointed One, came to have a significance that went beyond any expectations for the Messiah of Israel. It shifted from designating the title of God’s anointed leader of Israel to a proper name that reflected the divine nature of the Son of God incarnate as Jesus the Anointed One.[13]   There is a debate about when, or even whether, this shift occurred. German historian of religion, Martin Hengel, thinks that even in Paul’s writings, the Anointed One is used almost entirely as a proper name with only “a glimmer of its use as a title.” Representing another side of the debate, English New Testament scholar Nicholas T. Wright argues that “Jesus’ Messiahship remained central and vital for Paul” and, in fact, persisted throughout early Christianity. However, the idea of the Messiah has been transformed in at least four ways, according to Wright, when applied to Jesus: (1) it lost its ethnic specificity and became relevant to all nations; (2) the messianic battle was not against worldly powers but against evil itself; (3) the rebuilt temple would be the followers of Jesus; and (4) the justice, peace, and salvation that Messiah would bring to the world would not be a geopolitical program but the cosmic renewal of all creation. It is to this transformed sense of the Messiah as the Son of God himself that the appellation the Anointed One refers to the time John writes his Gospel and letters.   More to the point for John’s first Epistle, which does John mean when he writes, “Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Anointed One? This one is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.[14] Is the liar the person who denies that Jesus is the Messiah? Or is it those who deny the divine nature of Jesus designated by the compound name Jesus the Anointed One? The answer to that question has far-reaching implications for understanding the historical setting and interpreting First John.   If John is insisting that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah against those who are waiting for another, then John’s original message goes against a Jewish audience, some of whom had become Christians but then changed their minds about Jesus. But if the Anointed One had come to designate the divine nature of Jesus that went beyond all Jewish expectation for the Messiah, then he writes against any who deny that divine nature.[15] So as we can see, the inner meaning of the Anointed One is the essence of His being “the Anointed One.” When forgotten, then the Anointed One becomes a title or surname, and His designation as the Anointed One becomes lost in translation.   By the early 1700s in English speaking countries, the term “Christ” became a surname. Even if they would have inserted “the” it would have changed the connotation to Jesus the Christ. Nevertheless, we must never forget that each time we say the word “Christ” we are actually saying, “the Anointed One.” – the Messiah.

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[1] Burton, Ernest De Witt: The Records and Letters of the Apostolic Age, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1895 (1881 Version), p. 206

[2] Œcolampadius, Johannes: Sermons on the First Epistle of John: (A handbook for the Christian Life), Trans. Timothy Matthew Slemmons, 2017

[3] A demonstrative pronoun is used to point to something specific within a sentence.

[4] Leberecht De Wette, Wilhelm Martin: An Historico-Critical Introduction to the Canonical Books of the New Testament, translated by Frederick Frothingham, Crosby, Nichols, and Company, Boston, 1858, pp. 354, 356

[5] Gloag, Patton James: Introduction to the Johannine Writings, James Nisbet & Co., London, 1891, p. viii

[6] These may be some of the churches he wrote to during his exile on the Isle of Patmos. See Revelation, Chapters 2-3

[7] Revelation 16:18

[8] Josephus, Flavius: Wars of the Jews, Bk. 4, Ch. 1, Sections. 286-287, pp. 1590-1591

[9] Revelation 16:19

[10] Approximately 660 feet

[11] See Matthew 1:1

[12] Mark 8:29

[13] Colossians 1:22

[14] 1 John 2:22

[15] Jobes, Karen H., 1, 2, and 3 John (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on The New Testament Series Book 18) (p. 53). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.  Jobes, Karen H. 1, 2, and 3 John, op. cit., pp. 54-56

Recently I saw a very deserving American hero awarded the Medal of Honor by the President. While reading what this selfless soldier did to rescue and protect his fellow soldiers was remarkable. There was no doubt, this soldier was a man of great courage.

But I don’t know if we really know what courage is. Psychologist Melanie Greenberg tells us that courage is something that everybody wants – an attribute of good character that makes us worthy of respect. From the Bible to fairy tales; ancient myths to Hollywood movies, our culture is rich with exemplary tales of bravery and self-sacrifice for the greater good. From the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz who finds the courage to face the witch, to David battling Goliath in the Bible, to Star Wars and Harry Potter, children are raised on a diet of heroic and inspirational tales.

Yet courage is not just physical bravery. History books tell colorful tales of social activists, such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, who chose to speak out against injustice at great personal risk. Entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, who took financial risks to follow their dreams and innovate, are like modern-day knights, exemplifying the rewards and public accolades that courage can bring.

There are different types of courage, ranging from physical strength and endurance to mental stamina and innovation. Dr. Greenberg then suggests six ways to define courage:

1. Feeling fear yet choosing to act.
2. Following your heart.
3. Persevering in the face of adversity.
4. Standing up for what is right even if you lose friends.
5. Expanding your horizons; letting go of the familiar.
6. Facing suffering with dignity or faith.

Then psychologist Leon F. Seltzer remarks that to most of us, courage is little more than confronting a dangerous situation without flinching. The individual exhibits valor and bravery is fearless, assured, dauntless. In the vernacular, such people might be considered “gutsy – even as, well, “cocky.” And undeniably, we view courage as what heroes are made of.

As one writer said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than the fear.”  And this seminal quote elegantly makes the point that when we decide to act courageously, it’s because we’ve already determined that the risk, danger, or the risk of doing so is worth it. It’s truly about having the “courage of our convictions,” “putting our money where our mouth is,” and who knows how many other common expressions that address our willingness to show fortitude in the face of adversity.

But we must never let fear or being fearful make us feel like a coward. Courage is the quality of mind and spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., with fear but perseverance. Beginning with Aristotle philosophers have analyzed physical courage and moral courage in great detail. However, philosophy has never addressed the type of courage involved in facing the fears generated by our habits and emotions. 

And the Bible has much to say about courage. Here is what God told Joshua when he took over from Moses to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”[1] This was certainly a call for mental courage. Then later, God spoke to Joshua as he was about to cross the Jordan into Canaan: “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”[2] This was a call for courage of heart.

Then the Psalmist urged everyone, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”[3] In other words, don’t let fear stop you from putting faith in God to get you through your difficulties. And David encouraged Solomon to stick with the task given to him, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.”[4]

And when the Apostle Paul and his Roman guards got off the ship and were walking toward Rome, we read, “The brothers and sisters in Rome heard Paul’s and his entourage were coming, and they came to meet them at the Forum on the Appian Way.[5] Others joined them at The Three Taverns.[6] When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.” This encouraged Paul’s spirit.

We should not always be looking for words of courage from others, but to encourage others to remain steadfast and stick to the path God gave you to follow. Furthermore, by you showing courage it will inspire others to take courage and remain faithful to their calling and ministry. Remember to be courageous you must overcome fear – False Evidence Accepted as Real. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

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[1] Joshua 1:9

[2] Deuteronomy 11:6

[3] Psalm 27:14

[4] 1 Chronicles 28:20

[5] About 43 miles from Rome

[6] About 35 miles from Rome

DEAD OR ALIVE, WE BELONG TO GOD

After a distinguished career as an evangelist, pastor, professor, dean, and president of Vennard College in University Park, Iowa, Dr. Merne Harris retired. He and his wife Sue moved to Ankeny, Iowa, and he embraced the role of international pastor for World Gospel Mission. Then he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder with symptoms that vary widely. The Harris’ knew little about Parkinson’s except that it had left an acquaintance unable to eat with his hands. Harris never experienced the familiar hand tremors associated with the disease. Instead, his muscles grew rigid and his movements slowed.

The disease progressed until he was compelled to use a cane, then a walker, and finally a wheelchair. He lost the ability to drive. Tasks such as writing and dressing became laborious. Each stage brought a deeper dependence on others and a loss of privacy. Intensely shy, he found the loss of privacy very difficult.

Even worse was the loss of his voice, especially painful for a person who lived to preach and teach. Yet he persevered. His daughter, Sharon, said, “Dad received many honors in his lifetime. But I am most proud of him during his final years, because we could see the truth of his faith, commitment, and trust.”

When his son, Bob, asked Merne why God had not healed him, Dr. Harris explained, “God has entrusted me with Parkinson’s. I can be a better witness through this.” Merne described his perseverance as a combination of “God’s grace and Merne’s grit.” His grit was so tenacious that daughter Sandy remembers a doctor once told a roomful of medical students that they would never again see a patient at Harris’ stage of Parkinson’s who could still get in and out of a chair.

Merne Harris died in 2007 at the age of 83. When asked what enabled her husband to maintain his positive perspective on life and ministry, Sue Harris said, “His relationship with Jesus.” He never lost his joy regardless of his circumstances.

We may not have this same particular disease or anything matching the disabling results, but the principle by which Dr. Harris made it out of this life with his hands raised in victory is the same. He knew that the One who saved Him would be the one to take him and take care of him until resurrection day. Remember, this life here on earth is only part of our story. The rest is already being written in the Book of Life. If heaven were to have a newspaper, there would be no obituary columns. A part of the reward awaiting those who endure until the end not only involves how we lived for God in this life, but how we responded to the death angel who came to take us away. Remember, the world not only looks at how we live, but how we die. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

When I lived in Asia and shopped in markets in Hong Kong, Seoul, Manila, Thailand, etc., I was told that all the famous brand names in clothing, jewelry, watches were not authentic. They were imitations of the real thing. I gained a new respect for the word authenticity. Believe it or not, the dictionary offers several definitions of authentic:

            1a Worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on facts – example, paints an authentic picture of our society.

            1b Conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features an authentic – for instance, authentic reproduction of a colonial farmhouse.

            1c Made or done in the same way as an original – for instance, an authentic Mexican burrito.

            1d Not false or imitation: REAL, ACTUAL – such as, he spoke with an authentic cockney accent.

            1e True to one’s own personality, spirit, or character is sincere and authentic with no  pretensions.

Psychologist Stephen Joseph tells us that Authenticity is highly valued: On the whole, we don’t like or trust people who come across as phony and false. Not surprisingly, we avoid such people. We seek friends and colleagues who are authentic. Authenticity is important, but what exactly do we mean by the term? Often, we judge a person’s authenticity by the passion and commitment they have for what they say and do. For sure, part of being authentic is standing up for what you believe in and speaking the truth as it seems to you, even if it is not what others want to hear.

However, the question is, authentic to what? People can be committed to and passionate about lots of things, but this by itself is not enough. Authenticity is more than when someone believes in what they say or acts in a way that is consistent with their beliefs. An inauthentic person is equally able to stand up and say what they truly believe. We ought not to judge authenticity purely by the passion a person has for what they say. The more important part of the authenticity question is to look at the character of the person. What’s behind what they say?

Humanistic psychologists would say that by definition, authentic people possess a number of common characteristics that show they are psychologically mature and fully functioning as human beings.

They…

1. Have realistic perceptions of reality.
2. Are accepting of themselves and of other people.
3. Are thoughtful.
4. Have a non-hostile sense of humor.
5. Are able to express their emotions freely and clearly.
6. Are open to learning from their mistakes.
7. Understand their motivations.
8. This is what is means to be true to oneself. And conversely, inauthentic people…
9. Are self-deceptive and unrealistic in their perceptions of reality.
10. Look to others for approval and to feel valued.
11. Are judgmental of other people.
12. Do not think things through clearly.
13. Have a hostile sense of humor.
14. Are unable to express their emotions freely and clearly.
15. Are not open to learning from their mistakes.
16. Do not understand their motivations.

If behind what a person says and does is a defensive and self-deceptive approach to life, then no matter how passionate and committed they are to a cause, ultimately, they are not being true to themselves.

Authenticity is ultimately about those qualities that show healthy non-defensive functioning and psychological maturity. Those are the qualities we need to look for.

We see this same multi-faceted definition by Psychologist Kennon Sheldon who describes authentic behavior as conduct that we have freely chosen and which allows us to express who we are. In other words, authentic people act in ways that reflect their values and identity. Authenticity can be difficult to define because it’s different for everyone. For example, a behavior that might feel authentic for one person could feel inauthentic for someone else. Ultimately, however, authenticity involves feeling like “yourself” and not feeling like you’re wearing a “mask” that prevents others from seeing who you are. In humanistic psychology, authenticity is seen as crucial for well-being, and a lack of authenticity can result in abnormal behavior.

Entrepreneur Sherrie Campbell gives us 10 qualities that most authentic people share.

            1) Authenticity cannot be reached if you are only looking outside yourself. You must learn to Self–reflect.

            2) Authenticity comes from your heart so you must have a healthy ego.

            3) When someone is ego-based, they are always focused on themselves.  You must focus on possibilities.

            4) You cannot be authentic without first possessing a strong sense of character.

            5) Knowing who and what you are naturally makes you a visionary. So, you must have a clear vision of yourself.

            6) When you are authentic, you experience emotional threats to your ego because you are a good active listener.

            7) Open communication is woven into the fabric of our authenticity. That’s why we need to be transparent.

            8) When you know who you are, you don’t hold judgmental attitudes toward others. You are consistently open to other’s opinions.

            9) Being team-oriented sets you apart from others. To be authentic you must give credit where it is due. A good marriage is a team marriage.

            10) As you strive to live as being genuine, you increase the likelihood of being authentic in the present. So, draw from life’s experiences.

Bible does not use the Greek verb authenteō which is translated as “authority.”[1] In the Greek it means “to act as oneself.” However, the concept of being authentic as being genuine, undisguised, sincere. There two great examples of being authentic in the New Testament:

First, there was a man named Ananias. His wife’s name was Sapphira. Ananias sold some land he had, but he gave only part of the money to the apostles. He secretly kept some of the money for himself. His wife knew this, and she agreed with it. Peter said, “Ananias, why did you let Satan fill your mind with such an idea? You kept part of the money for yourself and lied about it to the Holy Spirit! ⁴ Before you sold the field, it belonged to you, right? And even after you sold it, you could have used the money any way you wanted. How could you even think of doing such a thing? You lied to God, not to us!”

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. Some young men came and wrapped his body. They carried it out and buried it. And everyone who heard about this was filled with fear. About three hours later his wife came in. Sapphira did not know about what had happened to her husband. Peter said to her, “Tell me how much money you got for your field. Was it this much?”

Sapphira answered, “Yes, that was all we got for the field.” Peter said to her, “Why did you and your husband agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! Do you hear those footsteps? The men who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out in the same way.” At that moment Sapphira fell down by his feet and died. The young men came in and saw that she was dead. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband. The whole church and all the other people who heard about this were filled with fear.

The second is the Apostle James’ admonition about unused faith. If it is just faith and nothing more—if it doesn’t do anything—it is dead. But someone might argue, “Some people have faith, and others have good works.” My answer would be that you can’t show me your faith if you don’t do anything. But I will show you my faith by the good I do. You believe there is one God. That’s good, but even the demons believe that! And they shake with fear.

You fool! Faith that does nothing is worth nothing. Do you want me to prove this to you? Our father Abraham was made right with God by what he did. He offered his son Isaac to God on the altar. So, you see that Abraham’s faith and what he did worked together. His faith was made perfect by what he did. This shows the full meaning of the Scriptures that say, “Abraham believed God, and because of his faith he was accepted as one who is right with God.”^[a] Abraham was called “God’s friend.”So, you see that people are made right with God by what they do. They cannot be made right by faith alone. A person’s body that does not have a spirit is dead. It is the same with faith—faith that does nothing is dead!

As we can see, being authentic first means not claiming you’ve accomplished something you didn’t do, and second, saying you’re going to accomplish something but you never do. So many people make up these inauthentic personas and think they are fooling everyone. Truth is, they are only fooling themselves. The “real you” will come out when you can no longer avoid producing any evidence to back up your claims. And remember, the last person you can deceive is God. He only gives to those who are authentic. So, if you haven’t received any answers to your prayers lately, remember the Apostle James’s warning: ^“Hearing teaching and doing nothing is like looking at your face in the mirror and doing nothing about what you saw. You go away and immediately forget how inauthentic you looked.”[2] – Dr. Robert R Seyda

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[1] 1 Timothy 2:12

[2] James 1:24

LET’S MAKE A DEAL!

Christian writer Kimberly Taylor share this incident with us about a conversation she had with her husband Mike in which she used a phrase she bets we’ve all used at one time or another. She was grumbling to Mike about a particular business situation, but said she was “dealing with it.” Mike said, “Why do people say, ‘I’m dealing with it?’ Doesn’t a ‘deal’ mean that both people are getting something out of it?”

Well, she had never thought about that! So, she decided to look up the word ‘deal.’ The meaning is “an agreement entered into by two or more parties for their mutual benefit.” She then looked at other words that are complimentary of the word “deal:”

Agreement

Relationship

Partnership

Compromise

Negotiation

Unfortunately, while some things we are dealing with are good, other deals are those made with the devil. A prime example are those dealing with bad habits. But how do you make a deal with something that is harming you? Well, we know what the enemy gets out of the deal according to Jesus in John 10:10: “The thief only comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” So, when the devil gets us spending our time and money on excessive and expensive habits he fulfills his mission statement. But what do we get out of the deal?

It is a hard question. As God’s people, we need to question the things we are “dealing with” and if it is not a mutually beneficial situation, we need to refuse that deal! When it comes to sin, we ought never “deal with” that. According to God’s word, here is the proper response to sin: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).”

On the other hand, consider some of the great “deals” the Lord offers His people: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).” “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3).” “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9).”  ^“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5).” In these scriptures, you see rewards are everlasting life, peace, reward, and wisdom. What a deal!

But to obtain these blessings, conditions must be met:

Believe in Jesus

Keep mind stayed on the Lord

Continue to do good

Ask God for help

God wants His people to redeem the deals found in His word. In Psalm 35:27, the Lord says, “Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, ‘The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.’” Wise peoples search out God’s promises in His Word like gold and silver because promises like these represent the true riches in life.

So today, consider the words coming out of your mouth. What you are dealing with? If you’ve been making deals where you shouldn’t, then take authority over those situations, asking God specifically for a plan for your circumstances. Each day, pray for strength to walk out that plan and receive it by faith. The best deal of all is the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10. It’s all about getting to know God through a deeper way! Before you know it, you will see bigger and better deals coming your way – and will prosper from them.

As our pastor, Rick Warren, often tells us, if you keep being drawn to dabble in activities that are bad for your spiritual life, don’t hide them or put them out of reach, get rid of them. At one time I was wondering why it was so hard for me to lose weight. My sweet wife made meals that were healthy, nutritious, delicious, and the right thing for a person on a diet. I found out the meals were fine, but my snacking was what was doing me in. I tried to make a deal by snacking only in small portions, but that didn’t work either. Finally, I simply said goodbye to mixed nuts, tortilla chips, Babybel cheese, Turon (fried wrapped plantains with brown sugar), Pringles potato chips in of all flavors, Flavored Filipino Nagaraya cracker nuts, etc. etc. As long as they were around, in the fridge, desk drawer, pantry, they drew me like a magnet. The same goes for TV, movies, books, magazines, places of entertainment, social gatherings. You can’t make a deal with them. You will be the loser every time. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

I remember reading the word “visionary” to describe an early church saint. But it also came to identify someone with farsightedness and innovation as a visionary. Or as Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “I have a dream.” For instance, for more than 20 years, neuropsychologist Antonio Puente Ph.D has been working to ensure psychology’s seat at the health-care table. Puente, never envisioned himself as an advocate for psychology. But in 1989, as president of the North Carolina Psychological Association and a neuropsychologist with a private practice, he decided to push for better reimbursement for neuropsychological services. Thus, he became a visionary.

Then, Dr. Art Markman tells us that in 2008, one of the big factors that helped to sweep Obama into office was that he was seen as an inspiring and visionary leader.  The country was mired in two wars, and an economic crisis threatened to plunge the US into a depression. In that context, Obama’s campaign speeches about hope and change resonated with the voters.

Then in 2016 real estate Entrepreneur Donald Trump was elected President with the vision to “Make America Great Again.” He found the Army depleted of weapons, the Air Force having to salvage spare parts from other airplanes, and the Navy far behind other nations in warships. It wasn’t that he wanted to go to war, but to prevent war through strength. Therefore, he was a visionary for peace.

Psychologist Eric Haseltine says there are several ways to become a visionary. One of those is to reject willful blindness. That means, looking for alternate or extraordinary ways of solving problems. The answers are not always out in the open, you have to search for them. Another thing is that in order to become a visionary you must see what others don’t see in relationship to potential. As the old saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Another thing is to treat the “unexpected” as possibilities. So, instead of not paying attention to such improbable events, pay special attention to them. Then look for opportunities that might develop if they came into being. When it happens, then you will be thought of as a visionary.

Then, Justine Musk, the first wife of multi-billionaire Elon Musk gives some insights:

“Coming out of the shadows in our lives.” Live and learn to hear the words, “I didn’t think you had it in you!”

“How crisis forces complacency to be thrown out the window.” How many people have reported that during a crisis they were able to do things they never thought possible under normal circumstances?

“Learning to read your life like a mystery novel and searching for clues.” It is what solves mysteries about our behavior, attitude, and response to any given circumstance.

“Finding the things in our lives that lead to creative renewal.” When the old way doesn’t work anymore, look for something new.

“Learning to use our creativity to show the world who we are.” Some people are afraid to try new ways of dealing with something that needs fixing because they are afraid of failure. But, that in itself is a failure.

“Developing an unwavering conviction and commitment.” How many times have you seen a jigsaw puzzle laying on a table unfinished, or a crossword puzzle only half completed, or a car up on blocks in a person’s garage with parts all over the floor that have been there for years?

“Learning to steer yourself in the direction of your strengths.” Too often we concentrate on our weaknesses as a reason not to try while our strengths go unused and miss opportunity after opportunity.

“Becoming motivated by process instead of product.” A good product only comes after a successful process. Ask any innovator how many prototypes they made before coming up with the finished product, or ask a best-selling writer how many drafts they went through before publishing the final story?

“Having faith in your own uniqueness as a person.” Just like snowflakes, no two people are exactly alike, not even twins. How many different types of Oyster Stew are there; how many different recipes are there for Black Forest Cake; why do we have such a variety of automobiles, computers, etc. Yours does not need to be like everyone else’s. Make it your own.

“The role adversity plays in reaching extreme success.”  Don’t look at setbacks, failures, hardships, or misfortune scare you away. The way a cowboy wins a riding championship is by grabbing the rope on a rearing bull or a saddle horn on a bucking bronco and holding on the clock says he won.

The Bible is not quiet about the need for visionaries. King Solomon said, “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.”[1] And the prophet Joel shares what God had to say, “After I have poured out my rains again, I will pour out my Spirit upon all of you! Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your old men will dream dreams, and your young men see visions.”[2]

And, this was God’s message to Habakkuk, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”

So, how do we get a vision? How can we become a visionary? King David said it best, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”[3] Why would you want anything other than what the Lord wants you to have? The Apostle James tells one important step to take: “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; He will not resent it.”[4]

“So,” says the Apostle Paul, “here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”[5] – Dr. Robert R Seyda

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[1] Proverbs 29:18

[2] Joel 2:28

[3] Psalm 37:4

[4] James 1:5

[5] Romans 12:1-2 [The Message]

GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT!

I’m sure you know people who are always thinking negative thoughts even when they hear good news. In fact, one of them might be you. Not only does this affect your way of life, but it leads to feeling tired, anxious, discouraged, depressed, fearful, frustrated, and low self-image.

Here’s a story I read and want to share with you. The writer says, I know the feeling. For many years, I was in bondage to negative thinking. How can this be? Aren’t God’s people supposed to live victoriously because Jesus has overcome the world? Although I knew that mentally, somehow that message didn’t reach my heart. Then, one day it hit me: The thoughts you dwell on determine the world you live in. Wouldn’t it be nice if your old ways of thinking were wiped out when you accepted Jesus as your Savior? But that doesn’t happen.

You may still have mental strongholds of critical voices from the past, anxiety about your present circumstances, and/or fear of what is yet to come. This explains how it is possible for God’s people to be in just as much bondage as people of the world. The negative thoughts you keep stored up in your memory will affect each day you live.

As a child of God, you were not meant to live under mental oppression. 2 Corinthians 10:5 gives you guidance for overcoming this issue: “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” This means negative self-talk is not meant to roam freely in your mind where it can wreck your life; you are called to actively take those thoughts as prisoners by the power of God’s word.

But that takes work, patience and yes, it takes time. But the effort is worth it because…The thoughts you dwell on determine the world you live in. Just imagine if all Christians would take this one instruction to heart and put it into practice. We would bear Spiritual fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The world would see something different about us and want to know our secret. That would open the door for us to tell them about Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! God delivered me. And He can deliver you too. This challenge is about seeking the Lord for a heart/mind change. I suggest that you start keeping a journal to document what the Lord is teaching you in this process.

Remember again: The thoughts you dwell on determine the world you live in. Ensure that the world you are living in is consistent with the abundant life that Jesus has for you! Be blessed with health, healing, and wholeness – by Kimberly Taylor

I agree with Kimberly that whatever we fill our minds with will color our thinking all day long. While being born again does not wipe our memory clean of all negative thoughts, they can be removed by replacing them with positive thoughts. It seems that the believers in Philippi were having the same problem, so the Apostle Paul told them: “Dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9).

So, instead of starting each day with social media, Facebook, Google News, CNN, MSNBC, or FOX News begin with God’s Word. Rather than turning on the radio for latest pop music, listen to Christian Radio. Also, what magazines or newspapers do you read each morning before reading you Daily Devotion? Whatever you fill you mind with through your eyes and ears, it will echo in your cranium all day.

There’s an old saying that goes: “You are what you eat.” The same is true of information. “You are what You read or automatically accept what you hear as true.” King Solomon tells us there are people who pick out an item on the menu based on price, not on taste or nutritional value. (Proverbs 23:7). God won’t change this for you, but He will give you the power you need to change it yourself. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

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There are few things that bring a smile to our faces than when someone is thankful and shows their gratitude for what they received. But that smile can be quickly erased by another who is unthankful and exhibits a sense of ingratitude no matter how good the gift may have been. Since it seems hard to distinguish any difference between the two, psychologists tell us that thankfulness is a social norm applicable in general situations while gratitude is the special manifestation of spirituality, love, and affection.

Being thankful reveals one’s attitude. Psychologist Suzanne Kane explains that saying thank–you and showing your appreciation does more good than you may think. This benefit grows both to the giver and recipient. Indeed, these types of expressions and acts are powerful forms of gratitude. Yet, while it may seem normal to be verbally appreciative at certain times and with specific people, there’s much more that you can get out of thankfulness at other times.

Susan Krause Ph.D., notes that we all like being thanked. It’s a great feeling to have someone, especially someone who doesn’t stand to gain, tell us that we made a difference in their lives. In the past few weeks, I’ve had the good fortune of receiving some heartfelt thank you notes from students, pausing as they got ready to leave campus for the summer, or perhaps for good, to take a moment and let me know that something I said or did proved helpful to them. I’ve also had the good fortune of having favors done for me by people who went out of their way to help me solve a problem, fix something, or in fortunately only one case- return a lost cellphone. Being thanked and having reason to thank others are two sides of the same gratefulness coin. Both exemplify the positive in human behavior and provide us with a positive charge that boosts our emotional balance.

Dr. Krause goes on to say that if you’re at the receiving end of a thank-you, you may feel unsure about how to reciprocate. Does a thank-you present require a thank–you note? What about thanking someone who’s helped you? Do you reward a person who returns a lost item with cash or just allow your relieved face to serve as its own reward? Then there’s the guilt factor: What if you let a few weeks slip by without sending a thank-you note for a birthday gift? Does it look worse to send a belated thank-you note or just to forget the whole thing and hope the gift-giver won’t notice?

And science writer Seth Borenstein says that while it seems pretty obvious that thankfulness is a positive attitude, psychologists for decades rarely delved into the science of giving thanks. But in the last several years they have, learning in many experiments that it is one of humanity’s most powerful outlooks on life. It makes you happier and can change your attitude about life, like an emotional reset button.

Psychologist Taylor Bennett lists six benefits of being thankful: First, being thankful improves your physical heath. Second, it advances your psychological health as well. Third, it can help you sleep better. By being thankful you feel less tired at the end of the day. Fourth, it helps foster new relationships. Fifth, it enhances empathy and lessens aggression. Sixth, it can improve your self-esteem. And Melissa Dahl, senior editor for a New York magazine adds two more. Seventh, you will appreciate those closest to you and make them feel wanted. Eighth, your fellow employees will work with you even harder to get things done.

These scientifically-proven benefits of showing thankfulness, says Bennett, permits us to be thankful for all of your treasures and blessings, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day. Not only will you show your loved ones how much they really mean to you, but you’ll also do some good for your own overall wellbeing.

Yet, what does the Bible say about thankfulness? The Psalmists are not quiet about this. In fact, they were jubilant at the idea of being thankful. They write: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, call on His name!”[1] And in one Psalm following another, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!”[2] There’s no better way to begin a day than in giving thanks to the One who makes living possible.

The Apostle Paul says, “Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in the Anointed One, Jesus.”[3] And again, “Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One.”[4] He also tells believers, “Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.”[5] And to those in Greece he writes, “Thanks be to God for His gifts that are too wonderful to describe.”[6]

Then Paul composes it into a blessing and benediction: “Let the peace that the Anointed One gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. Let the teaching of the Anointed One live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.”[7]

As the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody once said, “If we make a full surrender, God will give us something better than we have ever known before.  We will get a new vision of Jesus the Anointed One, and will thank God not only in this life but in the life to come.” So, how can you ever hope to thank Him when you meet Him face to face in the sky, if you don’t thank Him now? And how can you stand beside your loved one who just passed away and thank them for all the good things they did for you when they can’t hear it? Or, what good does it do to thank someone late or without really showing any gratitude? Keep all these things in mind and be thankful for being reminded now, instead after it is too late. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

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[1] Psalm 105:1

[2] Ibid. 106:1; 107:1

[3] 1 Thessalonians 5:18

[4] Ephesians 5:20

[5] Philippians 4:6

[6] 2 Corinthians 9:15

[7] Colossians 3:15-17