flesh

ABHOR

Posted on May 5, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

People are frequently afraid to admit that hatred is a Christian virtue, and it’s difficult to imagine that our eternally loving and gracious God actually displays hate as an absolute attribute in the scriptures. While generally one doesn’t consider “hate” a characteristic of God, ignorance of this concept may lead to an indistinct, somewhat distorted human view of the One — True — Almighty — God. According to Proverbs 6:16-19, the Lord “hates” six things, “Yes, seven are an abomination to Him.”

Undeniably, our Lord hates:

haughty eyes;
a lying tongue;
hands that shed innocent blood;
a heart that devises wicked plans;
feet that run quickly/rapidly to embrace and/or participate in evil;
false witness who breathe/utters lies;
those who sows discord/spreads strife among believers.

Certainly, if God hates such things shouldn’t Christ’s faithful as well?

As believers, we often hear the term, “hate the sin, but love the sinner” or some similar derivative. Therefore, although Christians conceptually “get it” (attempting to love all humanity because God loves us and proves it through Christ’s sacrificial and atoning death), practically it’s difficult to fully accomplish. Surely the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak due to one’s fleshly/worldly (not fully spiritually transformed) weaknesses.

Nonetheless, the stakes are raised even higher as true Christians actually incorporate loving what the Lord loves and “hating” whatever/everything He “hates!” Therefore, it’s with this precise understanding and expectation that we’re instructed to, “Abhor what is evil” and “cling to what is good” in Romans 12:9.

Abhor may be an unfamiliar term to some since it’s not a common expression in modern-day English, but scripturally it presents an essential, exact, and meticulous denotation. The Greek word, apostugoúntes (from apostugeo), translated here as “abhor,” actually means to utterly detest and/or intensely hate. Thus in the biblical context, believers are unequivocally instructed (not simply challenged) to utterly detest and intensely hate evil. In other words, as Adam Clarke declares, “Hate sin as much as you would the hell to which it leads!”

The implication is that one should hate evil with shuddering horror, rather than a raised eyebrow or casual smirk/sneer. This imperative (obligatory command) leaves no options, no alternate routes, no y’all-buts or what-ifs! Those that follow Christ and His teaching simply must, without exception turn away from, run or flee from, and absolutely avoid all/every form of evil. (See I Thessalonians 5:22)

Furthermore, the reality of this verse extends even further, taking a much broader stroke, teaching that evil should sicken all those called by His magnificent Name! Have you ever considered this as a mark of true Christian character?

Does one “abhor” (utterly detest — intensely hate — to the point of making one sick):

Seemingly small sin (although that doesn’t actually exists) as well as great wrongdoing?
Secret sin as well as mass public transgressions?
Personal sin as well as destructive social vices?
Sin in/of thought as well as acts of disobedience?

Please understand . . . the abhorrence must be there, hate should be directed against everything (ideas, philosophies, actions, etc.) that is evil just as it was in Jesus Christ.

Speaking prophetically concerning Christ, Psalms 45:7 declares:

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above your companions. (Also Hebrews 1:9)

Now, thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ has left us the example of His hatred! He loathed sham, pretense, and hypocrisy! Christ metaphorically and spiritually ripped the masks from the faces of the Pharisees and religious leaders, revealing who and what they really were! In return, they hated Him, for by His penetrating questions He exposed their artifice and deceit, their guile and trickery.

The life and ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ is autographed by abhorring that which is evil. The Bible is everywhere inscribed with God’s hatred of all that is evil. Therefore, when the text, commands us to abhor that which is evil, it is declaring that we are to be just like our Savior, our Lord … Jesus Christ!

— Pastor Frank

GIVING THANKS

Posted on May 3, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

God’s people have always been unique in expressions of giving thanks to the Lord for His blessings and provisions. Throughout history (His story), those that acknowledge the one true God have engaged in spiritually-based celebrations and festivities that both publicly, as well as privately, express collective and personal gratitude.

Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy name. –Psalm 97:12

In some nations/people groups “giving thanks” events are deeply imbedded in the culture, as demonstrated in the Hebrew faith and those whose initial values and laws stem from a belief and/or subjection to a divine being.

These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. –Psalm 42:4

As we approach the American Holiday (created from the words for holy (halig) and day (daeg) from the 14th century) of Thanksgiving, perhaps we could/should re-think the whole concept. Are we giving thanks to the Lord based on our material blessings, or is our thanksgiving motivated by the Lord’s character and the spiritual blessing of being in Christ as His own possession?

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. –Ephesians 1:13-14

A few weeks ago, I asked some young people why they needed to go to college. The answers were not surprising or shocking, considering the materialistic influences that currently exist in our modern culture. Generally their responses focused on having a comfortable life style, a good job, and making enough money to enjoy a life of affluence and abundance. That life included concepts of what some would call the “American Dream” … a nice house, cool car, fashionable clothes, kids, comfortable lifestyle, etc. While I’m not sure when the “American Dream” started evolving into a materialistic-based quest, certainly that was not its original prize.

Although material gain may be the fruit or positive by-product of freedom and capitalism, how dare we refer to it as the “American Dream?” Have we undergone a metamorphosis from spiritually-based moral values and the principles of individual freedom into collective hedonistic greed? Assuredly, when people are more concerned with the attainment of things than with the maintenance and continuation of ethics, truth, morals, righteousness, and freedom, it’s a sure sign of moral decadence/spiritual decomposition.

Perhaps this crumbling decay begins when the focus of “giving thanks” shifts from an appreciation and gratitude for God, His character, His holiness, His attributes, grace, mercy, love, etc. to the benefits and blessings of His abundant provisions. Without question, the Lord God lavishes His goodness upon His people, but is that the foundation, motivation, and source for our “giving thanks” and expressions of gratitude? Don’t get me wrong, undoubtedly we should offer thanksgiving for all our material blessings, but isn’t there much, much more that demands an appreciative response?

Consider Psalm 7:17 where thanksgiving is offered because of God’s righteousness:

I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

In I Chronicles 16:34 God’s goodness and lovingkindness is the cause for giving thanks:

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Daniel 2:23 offers an interesting perspective … the prophet is thankful because of God’s provision … wisdom, might, and answered prayer:

To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, for You have made known to us the king’s matter.

The psalmist in 107:8 establishes an opportunity for thanksgiving because of His works among humanity:

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!

In the New Testament, I Corinthians 15:57 offers similar insight, focusing on the spiritual aspects of our Lord’s work rather than one’s abundance or excess of material blessing:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (over the power of sin, the law, and death … which includes our worldly/fleshly passions) through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Isn’t it time for true believers to reverse the trend of thanksgiving being offered upon valuations of possessions and wealth, comfort, or even health? Should we humbly give thanks for these things? Without question! Wealth and assets aren’t evil, just like forks and spoons don’t make gluttons and guns don’t kill people. It’s the greed, covetousness, and love of money that’s the root of all sorts of evil. (See I Tim. 6:10) Remember:

The covetous are never satisfied with money, nor the lovers of wealth with their gain; so this too is vanity.(Ecclesiastes 5:9)

May we never forget the scriptural warnings in Luke 12:15, Ephesians 5:3-5, and Colossians 3:5 – all address this issue for Christ’s church.

Together as individuals and His people collectively, let us be compelled to spiritually, mentally, and emotionally (in the flesh) embrace the words of the psalmist:

Direct my heart toward your testimonies and away from gain.

Perhaps from this assessment will burst untainted, spiritually-birthed thanksgiving that’s pleasing to our Lord and provider, Jesus Christ.

Think about it, then ask Him about it! –Pastor Frank

DWELL

Posted on May 3, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

In Exodus 25:8 God said, “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.” Here one finds God’s heart — to dwell among His people! A similar statement is found in Exodus 29:45-46. Then in I Kings 6:13 … the Lord tells Solomon, David’s son, “I will dwell among the sons of Israel.” Shall we forget the incredible statement found in II Corinthians 6:16, “we (a clear reference to believers) are the temple of the living God?”

There the scripture continues:

I will dwell in them and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Undeniably, this Old Testament quotation is drawn directly from Exodus 25:8 (above), but properly applied then and now to Christ’s New Testament Church and each of us as His individual disciples.

It’s a somewhat overwhelming thought to consider that God Himself fully desires and intentionally purposes to dwell with/among and in (within) His people. Consider, our God walked in the garden, having direct contact and communication with Adam and Eve before human sin severed the cherished connection. Therefore, from the very beginning, all the way to the very end of this world as we know it, His objective has been clear … “He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people and God Himself will be among them.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

In John 1:1 we read, “the Word was God.” In John 1:14, “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” YES! This is the incarnation (a person who embodies in the flesh a deity – the union of divinity and humanity) … An event which is not about humans becoming gods, or a god – absolutely impossible – but instead, God adapting to the form of humanity (with God all things are possible). This almost incomprehensible, mind-bending, worship-inciting truth is profoundly proclaimed when we sing:

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail, the incarnate Deity. Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel! (from Hark The Herald Angels Sing)

The English word translated here as “dwelt” is the Greek word “eskenosen” which means “to encamp” – “to pitch a tent” – “to tabernacle.” A quality literal translation of this text might read, “the Word became flesh and did tabernacle or tabernacled among us.” From the Old Testament, we think of the Tabernacle as the somewhat portable, divinely designed, yet humanly constructed, tent that provided the primary point of contact between God and mankind.

In the New Testament, and in our faith, Jesus Christ – the incarnate Son of God – who became flesh and “tabernacled” (dwelt) among us, is the one and only point of contact capable of bridging the great chasm between God and humanity.

In the Old Testament scriptures, the Table of the Bread of the Presence, the Lampstand, the Altar of Incense, and the Ark of the Covenant furnished the Tabernacle. These pieces of furniture all portrayed Christ and were a “type” or “shadow” of things to come. However, we now know Jesus as “the Bread of Life” – “the Light of the world” – “the great High Priest who intercedes for God’s redeemed Church” and He who abides (dwells) with and in His people.

God’s glory is also associated with the Old Testament Tabernacle. Exodus 40:34 states, “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” The glory of God expresses His worthiness and the honor due Him. Nonetheless, Jesus Christ offers the full expression of God’s glory for us to behold – “and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten from the Father.” II Corinthians 4:6 expresses:

For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Then, Hebrews 1:3 explains Jesus Christ as:

Being the radiance (brightness) of His (God the Father’s) glory and the exact representation of His nature (express image of God the Father as a person), and (the one who) upholds all things by the word of His power.

Continuing in John 1:14, we also learn that this “glory as of the only begotten from the Father,” is, “full of grace and truth.”

Consider this description of God’s glory from Exodus 34:6:

The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.

During His visit to earth, the incarnation, Christ demonstrates this grace and truth (from the Father) to the lost, the needy, and undeserving sinners. He extends God’s grace to people through His actions and His words … He cares for the outcast, heals the broken, feeds the hungry, embraces the lonely, and lifts the downtrodden from their pit. Not only were these demonstrations and manifestations irrefutable evidence of His divinity, but fully revealed His divine character … the very nature of God Himself on public display for all to see!

As He communicated God’s truth, lives were dynamically impacted and complete transformations occurred through the supremacy and potency of the very Word becoming flesh and tabernacling (pitching His tent and encamping) among/with us! Our Lord, Jesus Christ continues to show us the fullness of God’s grace and truth today – chiefly through the incorruptible message of His Word and the transforming effects of God’s Holy Spirit.

The Lord regenerates us into new individuals because

He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion. (David Crowder – Like A Lion)

Jesus Christ is the all-glorious, incarnate God, and this alone is reason enough to trust Him as our one and only Savior, worship Him as our one and only Lord, and follow/serve Him as our one and only Master/King.

Are you living in this reality today? Don’t just think about. Don’t just talk about it.

Let’s just do it!

– Pastor Frank

JOINED

Posted on May 3, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Almost everyone is familiar with the phrase, “what God has joined together, let no man (one) separate (put asunder).” This statement of Christ is found in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9 as He expounds on the concept of monogamous marriage relationships and its significance for humanity. A Greek word of similar meaning, “proskollao,” also appears in that same context, usually translated in English as “cleave to” or “cleaving to” one’s spouse as in Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, and Ephesians 5:31. “Proskollao” is the strengthened form of the word, “kollao” which expresses the idea of something being glued or cemented together, making “proskollao” even a stronger joining, perhaps like glue versus superglue.

Who doesn’t remember those over-the-top KRAZYGLUE commercials where a construction worker is holding on to his hardhat which is supposedly inseparably attached to a metal beam with the superbly powerful grip of their product. Certainly we all know it’s a “crazy” demonstration, but it definitely communicates the conceptual meaning of this biblically significant word.

In Romans 12:9, believers are encouraged to “cling” or in a more literal translation, “be joined to” that which is good! Obviously it’s appreciably better to be identified with, and joined (cemented or glued) to that which is called “good” (as defined by the Lord) than anything of lesser value. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, Christ’s faithful “examine everything carefully,” holding “fast to that which is good,” while intentionally, with commitment and determination, abstaining “from every form of evil” (again, using the Lord’s definition of evil).

As members of Christ’s body (His church) in Ephesians 2:12, we are uniquely joined and precisely fitted together into our Lord’s “Holy Temple.” Ephesians 4:16 further expands on this useful illustration stating that the whole body is “fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part.” In other words, we are perfectly joined by the Lord so that each individual (part/member) supplies (brings to the table) exactly that which is needed in/by His church so Christ’s body functions properly, fully, efficiently, and effectively!

After considering all these examples of “join” or “joined,” there remains one passage in 1 Corinthians 6:16-17 that demands our sincere and solemn consideration. “Do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, ‘THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.’ But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” Each individual determines to whom or what they are joined … either to Christ Jesus, becoming “one spirit with Him,” or to the enchanting enticements of this world and all of its willful suppressions! (Romans 1:18-19, “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”) To Whom or what shall we/you be joined?

— Pastor Frank

CRIME

Posted on April 25, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Is all crime, sin? Is all sin, crime? The answer to both is a resounding no! However, that doesn’t mean the two concepts aren’t closely connected or related, or that a society that refuses to appropriately connect them can achieve a peaceful, respectful, divinely blessed, and flourishing community or society!

IS ALL CRIME, SIN?

While the definition of crime (which used to be closely connected to that of sin) has changed over time, and is constantly changing, most would agree to a simple understanding … “an act that’s against the law.” In the case of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (Daniel 3), the law required a cessation of activity and the worship of a golden image upon the sounding of a “horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music.” It was unquestionably a crime for them to disobey the law of their government; however it was not a sin, due to the fact that they were under a higher obligation to their Lord! Therefore, what was a “crime” to humanity and that society was a righteous act of obedience unto the Lord.

IS ALL SIN, CRIME?

Now the discussion potentially gets complicated! The very idea of “crime” seems to be originally based upon the concept of sin … an act or conduct against others, specific property (possessions) or society. Therefore, at the root of what is deemed a crime, one finds a biblical moral foundation. However, modern-day society and contemporary world views are consistently working against the reality and certainty that all civil law is based upon moral values expressed to mankind by a supreme being we know as God. As a result, crime is currently and conveniently defined (without any reference to sin) as being:

1. an illegal act for which someone can be punished by the government.

2. an activity that is against civil law

3. illegal acts in general (WHATEVER THAT MEANS).

A simple, cursory look at the 10 Commandments, given to the nation of Israel in order to regulate their society, sees laws based upon distinguished moral values and character. While the first 4 deal with one’s relationship with God, rather than others, as found in the last 6, that did not negate the criminality of breaking any of them. It was undeniably a crime to break any one of the 10 because it was the law for God’s people. In addition, certain punishments were outlined for particular sins/crimes in Deuteronomy chapters 21-25.

Sin is often not considered a crime because much of one’s sin is birthed in the heart out of fleshly/worldly passions. While adultery is still a crime in many states, no one is prosecuted for it in America. However, in the Hebrew law of the OT, it was a sin against God as well as a criminal act against individuals and society. You may recall the incident of the lady caught in adultery during the ministry of Jesus, (See John 8:1-11) She faced criminal punishment according to Hebrew law.

Today, adultery is sin in most people’s eyes, against both God and individuals, but definitely not a crime with described legal punishment. Scripture agrees that adultery is sin, even if committed only in one’s heart, like greed or jealousy may be. Nonetheless, in our society, this act, not the thought, of adultery no longer constitutes a criminal wrong-doing that would require prosecution and punishment.

Yes, crime is everywhere … we all know that, and most of us have experienced it. Perhaps that is why our nation is all concerned, almost obsessed, with crime stats like white-on-white crime, black-on-black crime, white-on-black crime, black-on-white crime, poor-on-poor crime, rich-on-poor crime, poor-on-rich crime, rich-on-rich crime, etc., etc, etc.! Why can’t seemingly anyone honestly seek to know the answer, discuss the issues openly, find the answer, and share it freely? (See Matthew 12:33-37)

There is just too much fear in truth! Why are the facts like – almost 90% of crimes/sins in the US against young minority men are carried out by young minority men – hidden? Why is it that a police officer (of any race) is 6 times more likely to be shot by a minority than vise versa and that 98% of minority shooting deaths do not involve police officers (of any race or gender)? The simple answer is … that the simple answer doesn’t spin politically for anyone’s benefit. Crime is everywhere because sin is everywhere! They cannot be disconnected! The secret (which is really no secret at all) to reducing crime is curtailing sin, and whether anyone wants to discuss it or not, that’s a spiritual issue.

However, even in societies that we might consider pagan prior to the days of Moses – murder, adultery, theft, and false witness were treated as immoral acts … simply wrong, as well as considered criminal behavior among the Babylonians and the Egyptians. Intelligent humans even figured out that it was wrong to … dishonor a god by the improper use of a god’s name, … show lack of respect to parents, … to covet the property (possessions) and particularly a wife, son, daughter, or slave of another.

Crime, no matter what the stats say, is a direct result of sin. The only answer is godly, righteous living which is only achieved in genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. So the fear comes, and the truth is avoided! The government of the governed can’t fix society by increasing the punishment for certain sins, like hate crimes or trying to force the manufacturing of safer bullets, which have no morality except that found in the hands of their user. When people shoot people in sin, that’s a criminal action.

Therefore, the heart of mankind is desperately wicked (See Genesis 6:5 & Jeremiah 17:9) and evil. Aberrant behavior cannot/will not be changed without a valid spiritual and moral basis for every law, and individuals who believe the values presented in those laws to be right and true. So crime reduces, even whole societies are transformed, by the redeeming power of Christ’s gospel. Then individuals will uphold laws that call sin, sin, support indisputable moral values, and conform their lives to immutable truth! Brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t give up on our society or our world (I know you may feel like throwing in the towel) … our God’s not finished with us yet! He can do anything, even change the spots of a leopard (See Jeremiah 13:23).

Pastor Frank

SEEKING THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD

Posted on April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Why do you seek the living among the dead?

That is the question asked of the women in Luke 24:5 as they stood before the borrowed tomb (belonging to Joseph of Arimathea) where the body of Christ had been placed after His public execution. They knew Jesus was dead, that was indisputable. Yes, their hearts were tattered — their souls devastated by the tragic events of the past few days, and now they came to the place were His body had been laid … behind a wax-sealed rolling stone … guarded by Roman centurions.

They came to honor their teacher and friend, Jesus Christ, by finishing the appropriate and customary preparation so His body could be permanently interred. A dead Jesus, a cold shredded corpse was all they hoped for and expected to find. In reality, they came seeking the dead in the place of the dead (among the dead, as in a cemetery) while bringing along all the supplies and spices needed to complete their arduous and undeniably emotional task. Surely they weren’t looking for, or even possessing an ounce of hope for discovering anything different.

According to the scripture (Luke 24:2-3), when they arrived, the tomb was open (obviously not for Christ to escape, but for His faithful followers to observe/witness), and the body of Jesus Christ somehow missing. Nonetheless, for whatever reason, the ladies, “Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women” (Luke 24:10) still don’t get it! It’s interesting for us to note that even His enemies, while in total disbelief, fully understood and acknowledged Christ’s well-known teachings and impassioned declarations … that death and the grave could not – in fact – would not be able hold Him! (‎Matthew 16:21; 17:9,23; 20:19; 26:32; 27:63; 28:6, Mark 8:31; 9:9,31; 10:34; 14:28, Luke 9:22; 18:33; 24:7,46, etc.)

Every believer should carefully note how easy it was to forget the powerful, plentiful, and inexhaustible promises of our Lord. In this case, it took the frightful appearance of two men in “dazzling clothing,” to successfully jog our sisters’ memories as the men started accurately proclaiming Christ’s exact teachings concerning His own death and victorious resurrection. It seems the disciples had the same mental block and spiritual lapse according to Luke 24:11 where the testimony of these women was considered “nonsense” and “they would not believe them.”

What’s the problem/issue? One might wonder, “How are the words of Jesus Christ so easily forgotten, quickly ignored, or discounted by His followers?” At least, according to the biblical text (Luke 24:12), Peter gets up, runs to Christ’s tomb — stoops down — looks in, and sees the linen wrappings that were once upon the body of Jesus. What was He expecting? What does He find/witness/observe? NO DEAD JESUS — NO CORPSE OF CHRIST’S SHREADED FLESH, but even then there is no clear statement or testimony of faith as the disciple, “went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.”

Perhaps as we approach Resurrection Sunday, we should ponder the question of how or why the words of Jesus are so easily forgotten, misunderstood, or discounted in our own everyday lives. The truth of life in Christ Jesus, including all His powerful, plentiful, and inexhaustible promises, is that life can never be found among the dead … in/from unbelievers … in/from relationships with those that seek after all the world has to offer … in/from those that attempt to join themselves to the world … in/from a convenient faith in Christ, nor in/from the things of world themselves. Even if one has the opportunity to pursue and gain everything our world offers, will it actually bring life? Mark 8:36 asks this question:

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Life is not found from the world, nor is it found in the dead fleshly works of religious law, which in essence is lifeless legalism. Brothers and sisters, why would one seek to find anything living among the dead? Life abundant (John 10:10) is only found, and is only available, in and through the living words of our living, risen Savior, Jesus Christ!

Jesus said,

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
John 6:63

Therefore, will we, as Christ’s followers, seek to find the living among the dead, or seek and turn to the living from the dead/world to find life, life abundant?

Here’s my prayer for all of us at WOF throughout the next few months:

1) If one does not know the words of Christ, come and learn, become a student of His Word, allowing us, in cooperation with His Holy Spirit, to teach you the words of life.

2) If one already knows His Word, let us help you apply it to your daily life, making it a truly “Living Word” for your spiritual journey and sojourn on earth. (See Hebrews 4:12)

3) May we, His people/church, never become forgetful, allowing His words to be void. Instead let them be the very backbone and essence of the faith-based lives we breathe with our eyes fixed upon Jesus Christ!

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you!
Colossians 3:16

For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
I Thessalonians 2:13-14

His & Yours, by GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense),

Pastor Frank

LASCIVIOUSNESS

Posted on March 10, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Here is a word not so common in our modern-day English. In fact, it is so unfamiliar/unused that the NASB (New American Standard Bible) and many other modern translations of the biblical text fail to use the term at all. So why should we consider this word from antiquity?

First, it’s due to the uniqueness of its use in the scriptures, and second, because of the particular verses in which this word has been recorded.

This Greek root word, “aselgeia” denotes an excess, the absence of restraint, indecency, and wantonness! Based on this definition, some pretty contagious ailments exist within our post-modern American culture, as well as in many others throughout our world.

In Mark 7:22, one of the evils that proceed from the heart of humanity and defiles an individual is lasciviousness (ASV & KJV) (literally, filthy wantonness), which is unbridled, outrageous, shameless sensual lust. Apparently, according to II Corinthians 12:22, this corruption is lurking within the church at Corinth. The Apostle Paul states it this way:

I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality (fornication) and sensuality (lasciviousness) which they have practiced.

Some in this church were guilty of continuing in their former (before Christ) pagan practices! Is today’s church any different?

Galatians 5:19 clearly classifies “lasciviousness” (translated – sensuality in NASB) as among the evident “deeds of the flesh” which are in conflict and work against the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit that resides within every true believer! In Ephesians 4:19, Paul declares that individuals who have alienated themselves from God due to the hardness of their heart have become so callous, they have willfully and knowingly given themselves over to the sins of lasciviousness.

However, I Peter 4:1-6 confronts this issue head on – without shrinking back or yielding to any philosophies or outside/carnal pressures!

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality (lasciviousness), lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

Undoubtedly, this problem has infected Christ’s church almost since its inception. Listen to Paul’s firm admonition to the believers at Rome in Romans 13:13-14:

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Now, here’s the killer from II Peter 2:2-3;a bold warning for all of Christ’s Church and every single believer (even today, at this very moment):

Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned (Greek root word – “blasphemeo” – defamed, spoken of improperly, slanderously); and in their greed (covetousness) they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

This shameless, degrading, and destructive conduct is on-going and unchecked! People who are corrupt at heart, even within the church, often seek to obtain the sanction and endorsement of religion in order to continue in their own corruptions. These individuals refuse conviction and genuine repentance – they are determined to gratify/satisfy their own sinful propensities. However, the essential aspect of a relationship with God the Father, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, brings about an escape — genuine transformation from the evil and corruption of one’s past behavior and conduct. Come on over!

By GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) His & Yours, Pastor Frank