civic
Well-known member
I think you are spot on with starting with God in our study, after all theology is the study of God. I begin with who is God apart from His creation then work from there.
Why was it necessary for Christ to hide truth in a parable
- Thread starter TomL
- Start date
You don't see it?-not my problem.
12 so that WHILE SEEING THEY MAY SEE, AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR, AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND IT WOULD BE FORGIVEN THEM.”
I don't see it because it is not there
Your article made two statements neither which is applicable to my argument
1. They think they are intended to make things clearer.
That was not my argument
2. They think they were given to reveal truth about the church today.
not my argument either
you have not addressed my argument at all
Further the meaning of a parable is not relevant to my argument
civic
Well-known member
calvinism teaches all men are born as dead corpses from the womb that cannot see, perceive, hear, understand so the question becomes why was it necessary for Jesus to blind the already blind, deaf and dumb since they are already in a state of being dead corpses ?
Jesus use of parables is just the opposite of calvinism.
Matthew 11:25
At that moment Jesus said: My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. cev
The parables have a twofold effect- one is to reveal and the other is to conceal. Jesus revealed truth to the simple fishermen ( His disciples) and concealed it form the wise ( the religious one, leaders of the Jews the Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin etc...
Luke 8:9-10
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
“‘though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand
Matthew 18:1-9
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Do you know why Jesus taught in word pictures/parables ?
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Jesus said what actually happens below which is the exact opposite of calvinism.
Matthew 13
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.
1- they calloused their own hearts
2- they closed their own ears
3- they closed their own eye
So much for tulip. They did it to themselves, God did not do it to them. He came to their own and His own did not receive Him
Why did Jesus speak in parables if calvinism is correct?
As the astute Calvinist Lorraine Boettner said: Prove one point in tulip wrong and it all collapses.
The fact is calvinism's view on dead is wrong otherwise there would be no need to hide it from them. Why does Jesus need to hide truth from a dead corpse?
Total Depravity is wrong as demonstrated by Jesus and the Apostles above.
hope this helps !!!
The fact is many narratives run contrary to the teaching of Calvinism
PS the passage I quoted was not a parable but was narrative.
The need for Jesus to hide truth to prevent belief is the issue here Johann does not address in his article
Mark 4:10–12 (NASB 2020) — 10 As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve disciples, began asking Him about the parables. 11 And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but for those who are outside, everything comes in parables, 12 so that WHILE SEEING THEY MAY SEE, AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR, AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND IT WOULD BE FORGIVEN THEM.”
Why if man is born with no ability to receive biblical truth is Christ hiding the truth in a parable?
How is it that this is to prevent a circumstance in which they might otherwise return (repent) and be forgiven?
"but those who are outside"
The Holy Spirit and personal receptivity are both needed to understand spiritual truth. Those who reject the Spirit commit the sin of Mark 3:29. Parables had the dual purpose of hiding truth (cf. Matt. 11:25-27) and clearly revealing truth (cf. Luke 10:29 and the parable that follows). The heart of the hearer is the key.
4:12 This quote is from an Aramaic Targum of Isa. 6:9. The Matthean parallel from the Septuagint quotes both Isa. 6:9 and 10. Isaiah's preaching was rejected by the hard-headed Israelites he addressed in the eighth century b.c. Jesus' hearers in the first century a.d. similarly rejected His teaching. subjunctive verbs dominate this quote, which shows the volitional contingency on the part of the hearers.
Although Mark is writing to Gentiles, probably Romans, he often alludes to OT texts (cf. Mark 1:2-3; 2:25-26; 4:12; 10:6-8,19; 12:26,29-31,36).
"they might return"
This was the OT (i.e., shub, BDB 996) term for repentance.
Your post-and I have answered.
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civic
Well-known member
So like Tom and I , you also agree with us that what calvinism teaches is not true, correct.
Rockson
Well-known member
That wouldn't work. That would mean before Christ blinds them they had the ability to receive. If they had the ability to receive total depravity in the way Calvinists define it goes down the tube.
It is not a matter if I should agree with you or Tom-but what sayeth the Scriptures.
Seems you want interrogate any and all who lean toward Calvin-he is not my Savior.
That was @TomL post.
Rockson
Well-known member
People when using the term Calvinism aren't usually meaning you follow John Calvin himself and read his actual writings. (although some might) The term Calvinism is usually always used to mean the basic philosophy which holds to concepts like T.U.L.I.P.
civic
Well-known member
Your comments today seem to be in agreement with both Tom and I that if they were really dead then there was no point for Jesus to hide the truth from them in the first place.
civic
Well-known member
ditto and both the T and the I do not line up with Jesus teaching in parables if they were true and biblical doctrines.
civic
Well-known member
Let’s look at the uses of the term “DEAD” in the scripture for you to decide:
1) Jesus referred to the church in Sardis as “DEAD” and called them to “wake up” (Rev 3). Given Christ’s use of the idiomatic term “DEAD” in reference to this church, should we presume that his hearers cannot respond positively to Christ’s appeal in this passage as well?
2) The Prodigal was “DEAD/lost” then “alive/found” demonstrating that the term “DEAD” is idiomatic for “separated by rebellion” not “innate moral inability” (Luke 15:24).
3) “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:13-15
Are we born “DEAD” according to James? Or is DEATH birthed in those who sin after its “full grown?”
4) “What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.” – Romans 7:7-11
Are we born “DEAD” according to Paul? Or was it through the commandment, after “sin sprang to life” that DEATH came?
5) “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath…And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” -Ephesians 2:1-3, 6
This passage says nothing about how or when they died, nor does it relate their condition to any type of innate moral inability.
It does say God raised them up with Christ. Is this meant to represent the special inner work of regeneration which effectually causes them to believe after they are raised up? Let’s observe what else Paul says about being raised up in Christ.
“In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which *you were also raised up with Him through faith* in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions” (Col. 2:11-13).
They were raised up THROUGH FAITH, not unto faith according to Paul.
Calvinists have the burden to produce just one clear biblical example of the term “DEAD” meaning “the moral incapacity to respond willingly to God from birth.”flowers
hope this helps !!!
1) Jesus referred to the church in Sardis as “DEAD” and called them to “wake up” (Rev 3). Given Christ’s use of the idiomatic term “DEAD” in reference to this church, should we presume that his hearers cannot respond positively to Christ’s appeal in this passage as well?
2) The Prodigal was “DEAD/lost” then “alive/found” demonstrating that the term “DEAD” is idiomatic for “separated by rebellion” not “innate moral inability” (Luke 15:24).
3) “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:13-15
Are we born “DEAD” according to James? Or is DEATH birthed in those who sin after its “full grown?”
4) “What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.” – Romans 7:7-11
Are we born “DEAD” according to Paul? Or was it through the commandment, after “sin sprang to life” that DEATH came?
5) “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath…And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” -Ephesians 2:1-3, 6
This passage says nothing about how or when they died, nor does it relate their condition to any type of innate moral inability.
It does say God raised them up with Christ. Is this meant to represent the special inner work of regeneration which effectually causes them to believe after they are raised up? Let’s observe what else Paul says about being raised up in Christ.
“In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which *you were also raised up with Him through faith* in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions” (Col. 2:11-13).
They were raised up THROUGH FAITH, not unto faith according to Paul.
Calvinists have the burden to produce just one clear biblical example of the term “DEAD” meaning “the moral incapacity to respond willingly to God from birth.”flowers
hope this helps !!!
Which you have not rebutted.
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Concepts which I don't hold to.
right Col 2:11-13 offers no support for Calvinism
Colossians 2:11–13 (KJV 1900) — 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
It should be noted that forgiveness of sin logically precedes being made alive
Forgiveness of sin requires faith and repentance
So in agreement with the whole of the bible it teaches faith precedes being made alive
Nor does Eph 2:5-8 as well
Ephesians 2:5–8 (KJV 1900) — 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:It should be noted having been made alive corresponds to being saved
which we know is by grace through faith
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Sorry it still does not address the argument
It matters not who John is writing to
It matters not how to interpret parables
It matters not if he alludes to old testament texts
The nature of unregenerate man did not change in the New Testament from the Old Testament
you have not explained the need to hide truth from a dead man (as your theology views unregenerate man)
The Word Of Truthright Col 2:11-13 offers no support for Calvinism
Colossians 2:11–13 (KJV 1900) — 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
It should be noted that forgiveness of sin logically precedes being made alive
Forgiveness of sin requires faith and repentance
So in agreement with the whole of the bible it teaches faith precedes being made alive
Nor does Eph 2:5-8 as well
Ephesians 2:5–8 (KJV 1900) — 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
It should be noted having been made alive corresponds to being saved
which we know is by grace through faith
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
In Eph. 1:13 the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and believing “the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” This declaration is substantiated by many other passages of Scripture. Our Lord said: “He that heareth… and believeth… hath everlasting life” (John 5:24). This at a time when sacrifices and baptism were still required for the remission of sins. Even then men had to hear and believe to be saved, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
Now, however, salvation is received by hearing and believing alone. Works for salvation are not merely unnecessary; they are forbidden. Today salvation is “to him that worketh not, but believeth” (Rom. 4:5). “For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9).
God has changed His dealings with men from time to time down through the ages, teaching one lesson at a time. This is why it is so important to note the dispensational distinctions in Scripture, “rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
Once the works of the Law were required for salvation: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested” (Rom. 3:21) and men are saved solely by faith in Christ, “being justified freely by [God’s] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). We are saved, then, as we hear and believe what Paul calls, “the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13), and we are established in the faith as we obey II Tim. 2:15: “rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
CALVINISTS, ARMINIANS, AND PAUL
A LOOK AT THE DEPRAVITY OF MAN
“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus
Christ might be given to them that believe.”
~ Galatians 3:22
1. Calvinist or Arminian
a. Both are products of the Reformation: neither rightly divide
b. Both carried on the philosophical tradition replacing Catholic scholarship
c. Both teach predestination, election, prevenient grace, loss of free will
d. Both affirm the necessary grace of God for salvation, and then teach keeping it.
e. Most think the debate is about OSAS, when that is not the issue in either system
f. Geneva or Holland did not have the corner on Bible truth; what if we are neither
g. The Bible rightly divided is our authority – 2 Tim 2:7, 2 Tim 2:23, Col 2:8
2. The Philosophical Beginning
a. The question of free will goes back to the Greeks and before.
b. Confused Christianity adds their philosophy beginning with Adam’s fall -Rom 5:12
c. The Bible teaches man’s depravity (all agree) – Psa 39:5, Rom 3:10
d. Theologians teach that men lose their ability to change their mind/ believe God
e. If they are right, then God must forcibly intervene = Calvinist election is needed
3. Paul’s Account of the Fall
a. By one man sin entered, death was the result – Rom 5:12, Eph 2:1
b. Not just physical, but spiritual death and alienation – Eph 4:17-19
c. We read about the sinful nature of man in Romans 1-3 – Rom 1:21-28
d. Even the self-righteous/privileged are not exempted – Rom 2:1-3, 2:12, 2:16-24
e. Man’s corruption in sin is universal - Rom 3:9-11
f. No one can be justified before God by any good works – Rom 3:19-22, Eph 2:8
g. We sin because we are first sinners - Rom 5:12,19; 1 Cor 15:22
h. The old man is corrupt, and condemned before God – Eph 4:22
4. Knowing Good and Evil
a. Adam knew good and evil after the fall - Gen 2:17, 3:5, 3:22
b. Unsaved, unregenerate man is able to do good Rom 2:10 (but they are in Adam)
c. Unsaved gentiles know and do right by their conscience – Rom 2:10-15
d. Who is this good man? – Rom 5:7, Luke 23:50, Prov 13:22, 2 Pet 2:7
e. The problem is not that we cannot choose ‘good’, it is that we are not good
f. People are wicked even as they try to do good (Steve Jobs) – Pro 21:27
g. Paul testifies to this problem with his two natures - Romans 7:12, 14-20
h. The old man is corrupt and depraved, our conscience even testifies to this.
i. The Bible confirms it, faith cometh by hearing… Rom 10:17, Rom 3:22
j. Paul calls upon all men to change their mind and believe – Act 16:30-31, 17:30
k. The Spirit is in those who preach the gospel; men hear it, trust it and are sealed.
l. You were changed by the Spirit when you believe - 1 Cor 6:11, Eph 1:13
Our Motives — From Vice or Virtue?
by Major James M. Humphrey III
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9).
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
HUMAN PHILOSOPHY
The unregenerate man cannot believe these Bible passages. He believes he is basically good. He points to men and women who, apart from God, do good works and create beautiful works of art, literature, architecture, engineering, and science.
On the other hand, he witnesses hypocrisy in the lives of many who call themselves “Christians.” And it is a fact that people who call themselves Christians have been guilty of adultery, theft, and worse while they preached just the opposite.
Down through history people have been burned at the stake, untold thousands tortured and slaughtered, and all in the name of a God that is said to be loving and gracious. We must admit that the hypocrisy of many who claim to be Christians is sickening. Therefore, it is no wonder that intelligent and thoughtful people who have not seen the truth of God’s wonderful love and grace have rejected Christianity and made man a god.
Mankind was originally created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26) and so even unsaved, unregenerate man has the capacity for great intelligence and understanding.
There have been many philosophers and men of science that were geniuses but that did not know our Lord as Savior. The Bible calls these unsaved, unregenerate men the “natural man,” and the natural man, no matter how intelligent, is spiri-tually dead. The Bible instructs that “…the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:14).
THE MIND OF CHRIST
We as believers in the God of the Bible who have been saved by the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ are made the Body of Christ. Christ is our Head (Eph. 1:22,23). Therefore, we can know the things of God because we have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:15,16). But, we must ask, how do we use the mind of Christ? The answer is that our Lord Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, manifests Himself to us by means of His written Word, that is, our Bible (John 1:1). The Apostle Paul continually prays that God will give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him and His understanding,1 that is, the mind of Christ.
Knowledge of His Word does not give us some supernatural means by which we can look into the hearts of our fellow man and determine his motive for doing things. But it does give us an understanding of ourselves as well as of human nature in general. So, in light of the Bible, let us consider the motives behind our words and actions.
DAVID, A MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART
To consider how God knows the heart of man, let’s look to the Bible regarding the life of David, King of Israel. He was a man after God’s own heart, but he nevertheless broke God’s law, and for that matter, any norm of morality and decency. To begin with, God chose David to be King of Israel in spite of his outward appearance. Samuel the prophet had been sent to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as Israel’s King. Samuel looked at Jesse’s son Eliab and believed he should be the anointed King.
“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (I Sam. 16:7).
After God rejected Eliab, all of Jesse’s other sons, except David, were brought before Samuel and each was rejected. Without God’s direction, Jesse and Samuel would have chosen any of them before they chose David. However, God finally instructed Samuel that he should anoint David as King. We are just as Samuel in that we are unable to look into a man’s heart. The criteria by which we judge another is not the criterion used by God.
If we did not have what God’s Word teaches us about David and we only knew about what he did from history, we might have a very low opinion of him. Many non-believers express a very low opinion of David. He committed adultery and then compounded this with murder. Unsaved philosophers look at David’s actions and see hypocrisy. Here was a man chosen by God to uphold the law of God which he himself violated.
We can reasonably assume David’s motive for his adultery with Bath-sheba and the murder of her husband. But, without God’s Word there would be no way to know his motive in repentance, that is, whether David had truly repented and that his heart was right with God. We might think that possibly he was just sorry he was caught but that he was not truly sorry for what he had done. It is only from God’s Word that we know he was truly repentant, and that he had a broken and contrite heart before God (Psa. 51:16,17).2
THE PHARISEES
The only Man3 to truly know the motives and hearts of men while on this earth was our Lord Jesus Christ. During His earthly ministry, He addressed the motives of men and, of course, the record of this is instructive to us. For instance, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day were the religious leaders of the Nation of Israel. They were recognized as such and were looked up to by Israelites in religious matters as well as examples of how to live.
However, the Pharisees were no different than any other human that has lived throughout history. Many appeared to do good in their actions while their motives were evil. Jesus revealed that the motives of the Pharisees were based upon vice, not virtue. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites. He told them they made things clean on the outside but they were full of extortion and excess within. He told them they should cleanse the inside first so the outside would be clean also. He likened them to whitened sepulchres, which appear beautiful on the outside, but were full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness. He said they appeared righteous unto men, but within they were full of hypocrisy and iniquity (Matt. 23:25-28). This was no laughing matter, it was not some ethics class Jesus was giving, He was serious as a heart attack. This we learn when He tells them, “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matt. 23:33).
OUR MOTIVE, FROM VICE OR VIRTUE?
Now let us consider our actions and motives. The dictionary gives a definition of the word motive as “something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act.” When most people think of motive they probably think in terms of doing something wrong. In other words, they think of the motive for crime. The motive in such cases is based on vice, which is moral depravity, corruption, it is based on wickedness. Such motive can produce evil acts. This was David’s motive when he committed adultery and murder.
On the other hand, when we witness people doing good works we naturally think of good motives. In these cases, we assume the motive is based on virtue. Virtue is conformity to a standard of right or morality. And, no doubt, many good things are done out of virtuous motives. However, what about the people that appear to do good but their motive is based on vice, such as the Pharisees? And we also ask, why do people do such terrible things and yet at the same time claim to be Christians?
Let’s think for a moment of some examples of what motivates some people. We can ask, what motivates:
The person aspiring to political office? Is it an altruistic wish for good government or a selfish desire for power and recognition based on ego?
The business or professional person who serves on a charitable board of directors? Is it to serve the community or is it to enhance the board member’s own standing in the community?
The man to stop and help a lovely young lady fix a flat tire? Would he stop and help a woman who is not so lovely?
Us to be polite and attentive to someone in a higher place of authority or a person who has a great deal more money than we do? Are we that polite to everyone or is our motive merely to curry favor with the possibility of gaining something in return?
People to contribute money to charities? By doing so, are some people just trying to look good and gain the respect of someone else who can do something for them?
Some people who go into the ministry? Although many ministers work hard under very difficult circumstances, there are some such jobs that may be the easiest and most comfortable place to earn a living.
It can be reasoned that people’s motives may be totally obscured by the fact that even the crooked, self-serving politician’s constituency can sometimes benefit from his work in office. Good work is done and people are assisted in their want and suffering even if the motive of the selfish board member may be questionable. A tire is changed for someone who could not do it for herself. Regardless of ulterior and selfish motive, charities benefit from doing and giving. Therefore, in a worldly sense, good can be done regardless of selfish, self-serving motive. However, these people’s good deeds are not enough to save them in God’s sight (Isa. 64:6).
KNOWING OUR MOTIVES
It can be, and in many cases usually is, very difficult, if not impossible, for us to know the real motive behind the actions of people with whom we deal day by day. Their motives may be revealed in some instances, but in many cases we may never know another’s motive this side of heaven. However, we are responsible for our own motives just as we are for our actions. In fact, our motives as well as our actions will someday be made known and laid bare before our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be two different and distinct judgments of mankind. In both judgments, all can be assured that they will receive a fair hearing.
In the case of lost sinners of all ages, not only their actions, but also their motives will speak for them. Many will be those who have appeared good on the outside. They may have claimed to be Christians and may have gone to church and even talked and acted like a Christian. However, Jesus Christ taught that many will say to Him in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? However, at the judgment, the Lord Jesus Christ will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matt. 7:22,23). Their inward motives will be revealed and they are going to the lake of fire as a result of their rejection of Him who died to save them.
We who are saved, because of our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work, have His assurance that we are going to heaven and will be there with our Lord and Savior for eternity. Nevertheless, the Word of God informs us that even we saved are going to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
We will all give account of ourselves to God. All of us will receive reward or loss for what we have done in our bodies (Rom. 14:10-12; II Cor. 5:10). The exact nature of this judgment and how it will work out in eternity is not spelled out. For if it were, mankind would make the criteria given into so many rules and regulations that these would be turned into works which would then become the focus of attention. However, we can be sure that our motives will be revealed, as well as our actions.
We know from God’s Word that we are to judge ourselves. In regard to the communion we have with our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul reveals, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (I Cor. 11:28,29). Also, he teaches, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (II Cor. 13:5). The Greek word translated “reprobates” means unapproved; by implication worthless: castaway, rejected.
We may be able to fool ourselves and others, but we will not be able to fool our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, the living Word of God.
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:12,13).
The living Word knows all motives and He will someday bring them to light. Therefore, let us not be arrogant in our good works and outward appearance of good. Let us examine ourselves that we may reflect Him and be truly loving and gracious in our lives.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
“Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
Shalom
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