Thoughts From 3John - Part 1

 The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3John 1,2

         This is my favorite verse having to do with philosophy of Christian medical care. It recognizes the three important parts of the person that me, as a doctor, needs to address. First, good health. My eldest son, a doctor, is more in tune with this than I ever was. Our teaching had nothing to do with diet and nutrition and minimal training in preventative medicine. We were more focused on identifying diseases early so they could be treated. All of this is important to keep the body, the carrier of the eternal soul, alive and well and on this planet as long as possible. This unfortunately is where care stops with most physicians.

        The next part is the "all goes well" part. To me, this is the emotional well-being aspect or what we would call the psyche. Most doctors would rather not deal with this because frankly, who has time to listen to family, relational, work, marital, money problems, when patients are sandwiched tightly into time slots 15 minutes apart. Besides, you can't bill for that and there are doctors called Psychiatrists that chose to do this for a living. But as a Christian doctor who is supposed to care and love and show kindness, this is an essential part. Not only that, but so much of emotional distress triggers the problems with the body, that to adequately treat physical illness, psychological issues need also to be addressed.

      A good Doctor addresses parts 1 and 2 but a great doctor deals with the last one also and that is the spirit of mankind. To paraphrase Jesus (which is never wise), "What shall it profit a person if they live to be a healthy, happy 100 year-old yet lose their own soul. In other words, if I care for a person and they eventually die without knowing Jesus, they are going to Hell according to God's word. Therefore, I'm not really caring for someone if I don't care for their eternal soul that lies dormant inside of them. I must, at some point lead the conversation toward Christ. Frankly, it's much easier to do if you allow time to explore part 2, their emotional well-being because that often leads to areas that are in disarray because of a life of sin. Also, studies show that Christians live longer due to lack of sinful, detrimental habits to the health of the body, and also a renewed psyche filled with hope, peace, and joy.

       Can non-Christians be good doctors? Absolutely. Can non-Christians be great doctors? No.

Thoughts From 2John - Part 3

  I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings. 2John 12,13

        2John has a real family feel to it. You have elder, Father, Son, lady, children, one another all speaking to relationship, family, respect, subordination, roles, care and love. To think that one can become a Christian and not get involved in a body is a mistake. God saved us to be part of a body. John says that his joy isn't complete without face-to-face interaction with fellow believers.

       This is especially needed in this day where communication is often done with texting. Texting is far below talking on the phone which is far below face timing which is far below in person talking. I recently had an episode where I was in a text communication, and it was totally misunderstood. When it was read back, the person read it in a angry, "snarky" (their words) tone where it was anything but that in intent. If I had read it, it would have sounded completely different and I was once again reminded of John's words that he had much to write but he would rather communicate it in person, which is always wise.

     I've got to say, the worst thing about being in a church is the people, but this is also the best thing about being in a church. God uses the worst to refine us - how could we really learn love, long suffering, mercy, grace, compassion, gentleness, selflessness except for difficult people? God uses the best to bless us - our joy is completed. So many people leave the church saying, "I was hurt." Of course you were. There's people in the church. Did you love back? Did you show mercy back? You're like a marine who deserts saying, "They were shooting at me." You're like a boxer that leaves the ring saying, "That guy looked like he wanted to punch me." What do you expect. Get back in there and fight for the prize set before you.

Thoughts From 2John - Part 2

 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.  2John 5-11

         This is the passage that is traditionally used to discourage Christians from inviting travelling cult evangelists into your house to discuss their faulty views while trying to win them over from the lies of Satan that deny the deity of Christ. But is this what this really means in light of the preceding verses that deal with loving people? I suppose it could mean that because you could certainly talk to them on the porch as I have done, but if we are truly concerned about their souls, we shouldn't do like this possum family.

   I think the main thrust of this passage is don't do anything to help them succeed. When you donate money to a charity, is any of that going to further an anti-Christian agenda? If you own a building, are you renting out space to someone who is working against the gospel of Christ? When you spend money at a business, are the owners supporting ministers of a false religion? You don't want to do anything that would further their agenda. We must be informed givers and with AI search engines, that information is at our fingertips. For example, did you know that Marriot Hotels and Crumbl cookies were started by Mormons? You have to believe that a small portion of what you spend there will go to the LDS church. It makes you think. (But I do love me a Crumbl cookie)

Thoughts From 2John - Part 1

 The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 

        Any idea what the theme was in this quarter of the book? John uses the word "truth" in his writings 43 times. This is relevant to today because people aren't really interested in "the" truth, they are interested in "their" truth which is ironic because their truth may be totally incorrect but it doesn't really matter to them. Plus, their truth may change over time which means one of them wasn't true. "Truth" is defined as that which is in accord with reality.

     One of John's most notable accounts of "truth" is found in Jesus' discourse with Pilate which is only found in his gospel, not the other three. It relates to today because Jesus was explaining who He was and the kingdom of God and explaining the truth and Pilate wasn't interested because his truth was that he had to keep peace even if it meant killing an innocent man. I suppose his truth was true, but Jesus is THE truth, so the question is which truth are you going to follow? What God asks us to do is submit our truth to His. What would that look like in Pilate's case? The truth was that he would lose his job, status, favor with the king, maybe even his life if he didn't keep peace which in this case was sentencing an innocent man to die. To put his truth in submission to Jesus' would have been to admit that what Jesus said was true and to follow Him no matter what the cost because his job and life is nothing compared to the wonder of following Christ.

           That's what happened with Saul/Paul who was advancing in power with the Pharisees by persecuting Christians until he met the truth on the way to Damascus, left his truth and followed the truth and proclaimed that whatever he was then was rubbish compared to the glory of knowing Christ.

       This is what John is talking about as he starts his letter to this body of believers. He is beyond excited that this group of believers have put their truth in subjection to THE Truth who has now given them a new truth which is in line with what is really true. Make sense? In my life, I was introduced to the truth at a very early age but in my college years, when I was on my own, I had to decide is this really the truth or have I been brainwashed. I knew like Trump, Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson that this way of living led to a good life and wholesome world. But is that enough? Do you really want to be a Christian because it works even if it is not true and Jesus wasn't God and didn't rise from the dead? That's what Karl Marx called the opiate of the masses - let them believe a lie because it makes them endure suffering without complaining. No, I, like Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men wanted to know the truth and after investigating I was convinced that Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life and no one comes to God except through Him.

       That's the truth and I'm following it (Him).

Thoughts From 1John 5 - Part 6

  We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also 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.21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

         Yesterday was Easter Saturday. Thursday was the Passover, Friday the Crucifixion, Sunday the resurrection, Saturday...what? I think a lot happened in the unseen world that I won't get into, but in the seen world, the Pharisees and Sadducees were high fiving in a temporary alliance against a common foe who had been defeated, so they thought. The disciples were scared that they would be next and were hiding out. The believing Jews went back to their religious ritual of celebrating the Sabbath practicing religion as usual having lost hope.

         Today we are living in a "Saturday". Christ was taken from us in Acts 1 as he ascended and we wait for Him to show up again. In the meantime, John says that the world is under the control of the evil one. The devil is in control of the world and wants everyone to forget Jesus. He wants the Christians cowering in fear of being publicly crucified. Recently an NBA player stood against gay pride night and was cut from the team for conduct detrimental to the team and his wife left him. A whole host of people who call themselves Christians will go to Church Easter Sunday, today, practicing religion as usual and go to work Monday like nothing has happened.

      I heard that the Catholic Church has grown by 20% this year. Is this a revival? We could hope it's due to the new pope focusing on Jesus rather than Mary or changing up the confessionals, but what I think is that it is "Saturday" - religion flourishes as a relationship with Jesus goes in the grave. I read that more and more people don't believe in a rapture. Why? They've given up hope.

       As the famous message goes, "But Sunday's coming!" Jesus is coming back and it may be soon. Satan will finally be defeated. Fear will we gone and our faith will become sight. We can't be intimidated into hiding our faith under a bushel. We must let our light shine. A stand is not a stand unless it costs something, but what is a temporal loss compared to an eternal reward. And most of all we must not give up hope and go back to practicing a dead religion but rather, foster a strong relationship with Jesus who could not be defeated by death but even then, was defeating Satan. We are more than conquerors, we are victors. Let's live victoriously!

Thoughts From 1John 5 - Part 5

 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 1John 5:16,17

         Now this is a confusing passage. First of all, it talks about intercessory prayer that seems to be effectual on forgiving or taking away the consequences of a sin from another person. Second it talks about two types of sin. One that leads to death (don't pray for that one), and one that doesn't lead to death (pray for that one).

      I recently looked into Catholicism because we have a friend of the family who is a believer but decided Catholicism is the right approach to God. I could see them taking an obscure passage like this and developing a whole doctrine of categories of sin - mortal and venial. Then I could see them endorsing the payment of indulgences or acts of Catholic worship such as penance, mass, baptism, rosaries, praying to saints as acts on behalf of people to lessen their purgatory time - interceding on behalf of others. The Mormons probably justify their baptism of the dead from an obscure passage in 1Corinthians 15 while Mennonites justify head covering and their dress from one passage in 1Corinthians 11. The Church of Christ takes a passage like 1Corinthians 6:19 and says no musical instruments are to be used in Church. The point is, don't take one passage that no one is sure what it means and make it a central doctrine of your church.

      Let's look at the first point I addressed, the intercessory prayer that seems to have power over another's sins and consequences. My thoughts go to 2 passages, one in James 5 on healing where the elders are called and their prayer has an effect on the sick person who may be sick because of some sin, and in 1Corinthians 5 where an unrepentant sinner in the body is excommunicated to let sin run its course and when it has and the person is repentant they are prayed for and restored. With this in mind, I see this intercessory prayer mentioned by John as a person or persons commissioned by the Church to pray over a repentant person suffering the physical and spiritual consequences of sin to be effectual in a supernatural way.

      In a like manor, if the person (probably an ex church member i.e. "they went out from us") is unrepentant and suffering the consequences of that sin a commissioned group from the Church should not go out and intercede for them because from the instance of 1Cor.5, they have not reached the point of repentance and may never. This could in context also have to do with those who were among them but are now preaching a false gospel that blasphemes the Holy Spirit. Don't pray a blessing on them.

      Anyway, the takeaway is that there is power in prayer!

Thoughts From 1John 5 - Part 4

  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1John 5:14,15

            John was within hearing distance of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the night He was arrested and heard Him say, "Take this cup from me. If there is any other way. Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done." We know the disciples were instructed to pray but fell asleep but they must have heard this part in order for it to be recorded before they dozed off. 

        The prayer of Jesus wasn't selfish at first because that would have been a sin. So what was it? It was an honest cry for help in His human frailty. I remember going through my malpractice case in '89 and going through depositions, meetings with attorneys, and getting the court date, arranging coverage, rescheduling patients, all the while praying, "God take this from me. Have them settle out of court, please." I was scared. I was praying for a way out. God had a reason for me going through it and eventually I had to say, "OK, Your will be done. Help me to get through it." That prayer was in accordance with His will, and He heard it and it was answered. Years later I found out that the prosecuting attorney found Christ through my wife's and my example of faith through it all. Also, I never had to practice scared, defensive, costly medical care to protect myself from going to court because I'd been there and no longer was afraid. When people tried to extort me for money or they would take me to court, I'd say, "Fine, take me to court", and it would go away. And what I've realized is if you settle a case, it goes on your record as claiming guilt and it stays with you as you apply for other jobs. God knew all that and was protecting me from that despite my pleas for the easy way out.

       The way of salvation is a surrender of our will to His will and prayer is a reflection of that. We have in our finite minds a way that seems prudent and we pray for that. God who is outside time and knows the future may have a different, better plan and our growth involves continuing to surrender to His plan. So many people's rocky soil faith is revealed when their prayers aren't answered the way they wanted. They hadn't surrendered to God's control of their lives. His way was better and their faith was shipwrecked on the lie of Satan that He wasn't a good good Father.

      When you pray, can you honestly say, "Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done."? As the years go on are you developing a trust that God is working all things out for your good and His glory? Do you still find yourself getting disillusioned when you don't get what you asked for, or are you anxiously awaiting to see what God is going to do through it all? This is spiritual growth. This is learning to lean on God and trust Him. This is sanctification. Hang on because it could get exciting.