Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the son of God under foot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the spirit of grace?”   (Hebrews 10:29)

Imagine for moment inheriting a family heirloom.  Perhaps , it is a precious vase or piece of  pottery.  Now imagine that when it is given to you it is not received with appreciation.  Pretend you take the vase out to your driveway, and in defiance, you smash it with your hammer!  The precious gift is defiled!

Here the Hebrew writer uses strong terms to describe the attitude of the apostate.  He has “trampled”, “insulted”, and “counted” a “common thing” the gifts of God!  To “trample”  means to treat contemptuously.  To “insult” is to despise God’s very spirit of grace, To “count as a common thing” is to deem the very blood of Jesus as invaluable or worthless.  In essence, the apostate has defiled the gift of God.

God’s gift includes the death of his only son (Jn, 3:16), the blood of his son which sanctifies and cleanses from sin (Mt. 26:28),  and the “spirit of grace” or Divine favor from whence these gifts were offered (Rom. 3:24).   These gifts the apostate has defiled.
 
What other gifts has God given?  He has given us a family name!  We are called by his name – the name of God (I Cor.1:2), and the name of his Son (Rom. 16:16).  What if we by our lives fail to live worthy of that name?  Shall we defile the gift God has given?

God has given us a body through which we may have the strength to serve him.  God tells us to glorify God in our body  (I Cor. 6:20).  He reminds us that it is the “temple of the Holy Spirit”.  But, if we use it to serve ourselves rather than the Lord,  we defile the very gift he has given us!

God has given us a family – his church, his people.  (Mark 10:29,30)  He has richly blessed us with the greatest family on earth.  But, if I fail to serve them (Hebrews 10:24,25) and encourage them, then I defile the wonderful gift God has provided.

So, my brother, praise Him who is the giver of all of these things!  Honor Him by living each day in gratitude for his gracious blessings.

By George Slover 
 

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”  (Eph. 6:4)

Several years ago, a Christian who was president of a large state university stated his belief that students do not lose their faith because of evolution or secular humanism, but because of secular values taught in the home.  They neglect attendance at services, neglect Bible study, and make friends among the worldly.  They die spiritually, not from poison, but from spiritual malnutrition.  This happens long before they go to college.  Some of the finest, most loving parents are contributing to it.

Children have become so involved in secular activities that there is no time left for the spiritual.  They participate in band, organized sports, boy scouts, etc.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of these activities, but surely some limits must be imposed on the run-away activities that buy our time.  No wonder it is so hard to plan a gospel meeting when it doesn’t conflict with some kind of secular activity!  No wonder few parents and their children are seen these days at the special services of local churches!  

When do we expect our children to change from this focus on the secular to “seeking first the kingdom of God”?  If they become accustomed to a secular schedule in elementary school and high school, it will only be magnified in college!  Parents it is time for us to teach our children the greater value of knowing God and allowing him to rule our lives!

George Slover

These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self- imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:23)

While I was in high school America experienced a spiritual revival among many my age. I personally witnessed a crusade for Christ that packed the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Many who had joined the hippie revolution of the 1960s were now devoting themselves to Christ. Some of these news disciples displayed their loyalty to Jesus by wearing a “cross” or “fish” on a chain around the neck. In addition to jewelry, there is now a new fad among disciples. It is to place a tattoo on the body to show their allegiance to Christ.

In Colosse false teachers were anxious to impose tedious ceremonies upon the Christians. This heresy combined Judaism with eastern mysticism. At the root of this movement was a denial of the preeminence, power, and deity of Christ. However, it manifested itself in strange forms of religion including mutilating the body. 

Certainly God is concerned with how we use our body. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”. (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are to offer our body as a living sacrifice to God. (Romans 12:1,2) The Christian is not to use the body to pursue lustful passions and desires.

In this context Paul recants the words of these false teachers: “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle”. (vs. 21)  It was taught that such acts of humility and self-denial would meet one's spiritual needs and enhance purity. This was deceiving. Ascetic observances do not make one pure, nor do they shield them from fleshly temptations. Paul adds: they “are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (vs. 23)

In verse 20 Paul says: Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—". Here he alludes to thoughts that are covered more thoroughly in the next chapter: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  (Colossians 3:1-3) The true path to purity is not through a mark on the body or the jewelry we wear, but rather by resolutions of the heart. Because Christ is dead and risen, we must set our affections on him. 

During my high school days, an older gentleman offered some advice to me and my friends. God wants us to be cross-bearers (Luke 9:23), not just cross wearers. Devotion to Christ must be deeper than our skin. Christ wants our hearts.

By George Slover

 

"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24)

This familiar verse seems to be connected to the promised Messiah.  He is the “stone rejected” by the builders which is the “chief cornerstone” or the foundation of God’s redeemed ones. (Acts 4:11,12) Thus, the Lord has given them a day in which they must rejoice.

There are certainly several significant days connected to the Messiah.  When the angels announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:11), they announced a new era and hope for the world.  At just the right time God sent his son into the world to redeem man. Jesus came fulfilling prophecy and healing the brokenhearted, and proclaiming liberty to the captives. Praise God!

Certainly there are several significant days in Christ’s earthly ministry, but none more significant than his resurrection.  Jesus promised his disciples this would happen (Matthew 16:21). This was the day of all days! It was not the day of his birth or the day of his transfiguration, but the day of his resurrection.  Without this day there would be no victory over death.  Be glad and rejoice in it!

Because of his death and resurrection other significant days are brought into the life of believers. One may recollect the time and place and circumstances where they were born again into the family of God. “Oh happy day when Jesus washed my sins away!”

For 2000 years disciples have on each first day of the week been remembering his death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 20:7). Jesus promised (Matthew 26:29) his  disciples that the “bread” and the “cup” would be a memorial of his death. Paul then instructed the believers at Corinth to commune with each other and the Lord, proclaiming His death, and awaiting His return (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  Rejoice in it!

Surely the Lord brings a day of gladness to our hearts each day of our lives.  The close fellowship with God, the joyful service, and the ever brightening hope compels us to rejoice. One day these things will disburse into immortality and the people of God will eternally bask in the peace of heaven.  Praise God!

George Slover

 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:10)

The verse above contains two of 18 separate petitions found in this Psalm. David is appealing to a God of mercy, loving kindness, and righteousness to forgive him. He is filled with sorrow over the sin he has committed. David, motivated by this deep regret, is not only asking for reconciliation, but for a change of heart. 

In this petition "heart" or "spirit" are used interchangeably. The Bible reveals that man is a dual being of body and soul. For there to be a change on the outside, there must be a change on the inside. "Heart" and "spirit" refer to the inward essence of man. David is requesting a change of a emotion, will, and desire.

"Create" (“bara” is the Hebrew) is the same word found in Genesis 1:1: in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The word “bara" means to create something out of nothing. David is asking for a heart transplant. He wants a new one. He is tired of the old emotions and desires. "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?”  (Ezekiel 18:31)

The same the life-giving Spirit who created the world is able to give the penitent a new heart. However, God does not deal with human robots. He gives them a choice. Through his word (1 Peter 1:22; James 1:18; John 6:63) he beseeches, warns, and instructs. When the word is received God uses his creative power to renew the heart. When God's word has accomplished its mission it provides a life of sacrifice and service acceptable to God. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

Dear reader, God wants to give you a new heart. That's what David asked for. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.“ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

By George Slover