Debates and arguments?

My first experience with a ‘flood’ happened on the second floor of our townhouse in a complex called (no kidding) “The Summit.” It was the morning after a heavy rain. I got out of bed and when my bare feet hit the carpet, it splashed!

Turned out that the driving rain pushed in through an improperly sealed window flashing and put two inches of water on our top story bedroom floor. After ripping up the carpet, an industrial vacuum cleaner and a few fans dried up the mess.

This bit of water is nothing compared to flood losses around the world. My sister lives in a town that had water up to the roof in its downtown area and water covering the houses in one subdivision. Many Asian lands and other place are hit by monsoon rains that devastate communities, never mind the tsunamis that destroy lives and properties.

This morning I read the promise God made after the great flood in Noah’s time. He said He would never again destroy the whole earth with water and the rainbow was our sign of that promise. My thoughts went to the denials concerning this flood. Historians argue that it never happened even though many ancient cultures tell flood stories. The Bible’s veracity again is questioned. Was this a real event or not?

The flood is not the only thing that is debated. During the New Testament times, two religious groups disagreed about other things said in the Word of God. When Paul was mobbed by a crowd, he actually used this to sidetrack his accusers . . .  

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. (Acts 23:6–8)

This debate caused division just as the flood debate does. Add to the mix the Creation story and other biblical accounts and humanity seems bent on finding reasons to doubt anything God says.

Many who believe the Word of God can produce evidence that supports its history and specific details, but that old adage comes into play: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”

Jesus knew the main reason people rejected His Word. It was not about evidence, scientific proof, reasoning or needing to be convinced by facts. Instead, it was simply, “I will not have this man rule over me.” They didn’t want Jesus telling them what to do for the same reason they disobeyed God throughout their history. He said to them . . .

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (Matthew 23:23)

They were interested only in appearing righteous, in having the power that went with being religious leaders. They were not interested in doing the important things that God asked of them. Debating the reality of biblical statements was a smokescreen, their attempt to cover the reality of their sinful hearts.

It is risky to say this, and perhaps not always true, but from what I see in the NT, the human heart will go to great lengths to avoid giving up sin or even admitting it exists. Arguing about the reality of the flood, the virgin birth, the dying and resurrection of the Messiah, the existence of angels, and so on, are side issues. Jesus nails the real problem:

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (John 3:17–20)

Jesus, I do not like bright light either, at least the kind that exposes the sinfulness of my heart. However, there is another kind of light that is precious. John wrote about it also:

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5–7)

The song says, “Shine Jesus shine” asking You to fill the earth with the Father’s glory, the light that transforms our lives. Thank You for faith that knows Your word is true — all of it, from that incredible flood story through OT history to the wonder of Your appearance and all NT events. Arguing is pointless.

The most valuable asset

The subject of today’s devotional seems to be ‘giving generously’ but it really is about faith. My sister taught me a tremendous truth: not only is it impossible to out-give God, but if I give something away that I need, God will give it back to me. This means that I’m trusting Him.

As for the tithe, it is mentioned in the New Testament only when Jesus told the Pharisees that they were giving their ten percent but neglected to be just and merciful (see Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:41) His point was that they fell short in of the righteousness that God requires. He used the OT law to do it, which is its purpose — to show all of us that we fall short.

After Jesus died and rose from the dead, the message is how the grace of God applies to our shortfall. For those who trust Him, He changes lives. Tight-fisted souls who only look out for themselves are transformed into people who love and trust Him with everything. We see others in need and give, without worry about how we will manage without whatever we gave because our God takes care of us. All we have is His anyway; we are just stewards of it.

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.” (2 Corinthians 8:1–10)

My dear sister is a giver. She knows that God is her source. She has often donated money that had been allocated for her own necessities, yet within a day or so, something unexpected happens and that money comes back to her, often beyond the amount she gave. Not that God requires this generosity, but He certainly honors it. His plan is to take care of everyone, often using another one of His stewards to do it.

“For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, ‘Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.’” (2 Corinthians 8:12–15)

The Bible says Jesus was rich and become poor for our sakes. Today’s devotional reading says, “He was betrayed, mocked and beaten. He was crucified. God made his Son to be sin for us! There he was robbed of all the joy of heaven and the comfort of his Father’s presence. His dying bed was a malefactor’s cross. His resting place was a borrowed tomb. What was the reason for such humiliation?” He did it that through that poverty we might be rich!

^^^^^^^

Jesus, I can scarcely imagine what it was like for You to become poor, but I do know that riches You make available for the necessities of life, yet You supply so much more. You have made me rich in Your love and grace. Your abundant supply is overwhelming. I have peace that passes understanding, joy that stays with me even in trials, and love for others that I never expected. One of the best resources is the deep contentment You produce in my heart. You became poor so I could be rich. You are my most valuable asset because You take care of all my needs.