19 March 2017

My dear readers,

(Extracts from RPG, Jan – Mar 1998, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. IT IS WRITTEN
Luke 10:25-28, Deuteronomy 9:7-10

The question posed by the lawyer is one which should speak to all serious minded persons and those who see through the futility and emptiness of this earthly existence. But we ought to ask the question with a sincere motive and not, as the lawyer did, to tempt the Lord. To the Lord then let us address the question: "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

If Jesus were present today, what do you think He would say? Would He reply, "What does the church say?" or "What does your pastor say?" We are certain that our Lord will say no such thing. Neither will he refer us to the pope who claims to be infallible. The things that pertain to eternal life belong to God alone: He only has the answer.

Our Lord's words in verse 26 lay down a vital foundational principle of the Christian faith, and they deserve our careful study and hearty acceptance. Our Lord said to the lawyer: "What is written in the law? how readest thou?" These same words apply to those who are in quest of eternal life ¬ – the life hereafter. God had it all written in "black and white", words of the Most High, sure and stedfast, not subject to human alteration and manipulation. The original tables of law were "written with the finger of God", free from man's ideas.

The Church today stands or falls on this one great principle. Those Church leaders who build on God's written Word alone ("SOLA SCRIPTURA") are like the wise man who builds his house upon a rock, the Rock Jesus Christ. His work will endure. But leaders of the Church-at-large (pastors, priests, bishops) do not do that any more. They, by wisdom and learning, have brought in "modern thought", "church tradition and dogmas", "new theology" and other extra-Biblical ideas. More recently modern tongues-speakers make "Prophecies" on a regular basis, assigning to their utterances the Scriptural authorization: "Thus saith the Lord!"

Our Lord has given us the one infallible rule. Let us abide by it. "It is written!" SOLA SCRIPTURA, the WORD ALONE is our infallible guide.

THOUGHT: "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."

2. EATING AND TEACHING
Luke 14:1-14, Proverbs 11:24-28

Eating in the house of a chief Pharisee gave our Lord the occasion to teach important truths, for He never let such an opportunity slip by.

(a) On the Sabbath. See how patient our Lord was with those who schemed and plotted His destruction, as "they watched Him" to see what He would do. To them He posed the question, "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?" In sullen silence, the experts in the law refused to answer for fear of committing themselves. But our Lord knew how the Pharisees and lawyers would have no hesitation rendering aid to dumb animals, sabbath or no sabbath. They simply cared for their own interests. The same humane principle would demand the relief of human suffering.

(b) On true Humility. The natural man puffs himself up above his true worth. He creates his own "status symbol". He thinks big, talks big, and acts big – and that makes him small! Our Lord observed this spirit of "self-promotion" in some guests taking the upper seats, reserved for some VIPs (very important persons). These have hardly warmed their seats when some official usher politely "unseats" them and shows them to their proper place. It would have been far better when one is invited to take the lowest seat, and to be "upgraded" by the host to a seat of honour. "For whosoever humbleth himself shall be exalted."

(c) On true Generosity. The test of true generosity is not in the throwing of banquets and hosting of business dinners, but in considering the poor and underprivileged, the disabled and handicapped. Whether it is in giving of alms (in secret) or inviting them to dinner, or sending of food parcels, let us do all as unto the Lord, without "show off" and without fuss. Our Lord says, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matt 25:40). Our reward will come "at the resurrection of the just".

PRAYER: Lord, make me humble, ever learning, ever giving.

3. GOD OR CAESAR?
Luke 20: 20-26, Romans 13:1-7

Confrontation was building up toward a climax, but for fear of the people, the chief priests and scribes did not arrest Jesus. How they hated our Lord for telling them the truth. (Even today men hate the truth when it hurts.) So, instead of a head-on collision, they resorted to subtle craft: they sent spies to trap Jesus by His words.

(a) Crafty words. The spies, like all spies, paved their way with sweet flattering words intending to mislead and disarm (not realizing who Jesus was). "Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or no?" The spies thought they had Jesus in a trap. To say Yes would have made Him guilty of being disloyal to the nation. To say No would have exposed Him to a charge of rebellion against Rome. Either answer would have given the Jews sufficient grounds to arrest Him.

(b) Divine wisdom. The Jews, blind in unbelief, did not recognize Jesus to be the power of God, and the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24). How vain for any mortal creature to tempt the almighty Creator! O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Rom 11:33). To the blind spies our Lord said, "Render unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's." Instantly they were silenced!

(c) Christian duty. In the world, Christians have a dual allegiance and therefore a double duty. To God our Creator and Redeemer we render our loyalty according to the requirements of the law, and the instructions of the Gospels and Epistles. To the civil authority we observe due loyalty and pay all lawful dues. "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Rom 13:7). There is no conflict.

THOUGHT: Good citizens can also be good Christians.

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor