The Corona Virus Pandemic and Fear

It feels like its been a long time since the world has united in the wake of a pandemic. Is this a time to worry? Are we okay? Stock the shelves like its Y2K? 

Do you Fear? Then pause and ask yourself, “where is this fear coming from?”

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Any text without a context ain't no text so let's break it down CHECK DISC style. 

CHECK yourself: First, got any unconfessed sin? Bring it into the light before proceeding.

Discover the Context: Paul is telling young Timothy about not fearing to tell others about the Lord. 

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. 

And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 

This is why I remind you to fan into flames 

the spiritual gift God gave you

when I laid my hands on you. 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, 

but of power, love, and self-discipline. 

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. 

And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:5-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Identify Key Verbs: To fan into flames, do not be ashamed (2x), be ready to suffer.

Subject: What four commands does Paul tell Timothy about his faith and fear?

Complement: Paul tells Timothy to 1) fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave him, 2) to not be ashamed of telling others about their Lord and 3) of him, and 4) to be ready to suffer with him for the sake of the Gospel.

This passage is not about not fearing coronavirus, but there is certainly a relevant application for our current pandemic situation.

First, we should remember to fan into flames the spiritual gift God has given us. Everyone has been given a spiritual gift. We should not lose sight of that gift in the midst of the chaos. Notice how many people shift their attention from their gifts to the news or even insensitive memes. It’s almost everyone and anyone with a smartphone.

I mistakenly cancelled my cell phone service for the entire month of March when I was out of the country at the height of the worldwide scare. It was the proverbial “blessing in disguise.” The only news I knew was by hearing other people talk about it and the occasional “you gotta check this out” meme. It was either panic or tactless indifference.

Second, this is a prime opportunity to not be ashamed to tell others about our Lord and about those who have been spiritual influences in our lives. But not in a pushy way the “street preachers” are known for. This time of worldwide fear is an excellent time to role model grace, mercy, and peace in the midst of chaos. And then when the time comes, to ask honest questions about life and purpose. Honest and grace oriented questions such as, “what do you usually do with your fear?” or maybe even the classic, “where do you think you’d go if you died?” The point would be to remain attentive to fear and anxiety in order to be the light in the midst of the darkness. But we’ll have to do this electronically which adds another layer of complication. Pray for wisdom. Maybe practice social (media) distancing. I’ve been social media Free since the beginning of March. So freeing. 

Lastly, we should always be ready to suffer for the sake of the gospel. This doesn’t mean self induced suffering, but suffering for being faithful to the gospel. If we faithfully preach the gospel we can expect to lose friends and gain enemies. That is a natural consequence in this fallen hypersensitive world. 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What Does It Mean To Love God With All Your Heart, Soul and Mind?

I received this question in my inbox this month: "Basically I have had a hard time in my life. The Bible says to love the lord your God with all your heart mind soul and strength. How do I do this on practical terms? I want to get (find) closer to God. Regards..."

Greetings and thank you for asking such a great question.  Allow me to role model how this verse is practically applied in my life: 

First, I begin with meditation on the verse: Matthew 22:37-38:

37And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment.

Then I study the text in its context using the D.I.S.C. method.  

Discover the Context: 34But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"

Identify Key Words: LOVE | HEART | SOUL | MIND

Subject: (this is a question based on the text using only the text): What did Jesus say to the Pharisee/lawyer who asked him what the greatest commandment in the law was?

Complement: (this is the answer to the question using only the text in its original context): Jesus told the Lawyer that the greatest commandment in the law is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Second, I break down the meaning of all the key words.  This is the first time I use commentaries in my personal study.  I want to know what the original words mean.

To love (25) (agapao - see related study of noun agape) means to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves sinful men (John 3:16), the way He loves the Son (John 3:35, 15:9, 17:23, 24). 

Heart (2588) (kardia) does not refer to the physical organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God. 

Souls (5590) (psuche or psyche from psucho = to breathe, blow, English = psychology, "study of the soul") is the breath, then that which breathes, the individual, animated creature. However the discerning reader must understand that psuche is one of those Greek words that can have several meanings, the exact nuance being determined by the context. It follows that one cannot simply select of the three main meanings of psuche and insert it in a given passage for it may not be appropriate to the given context. The meaning of psuche is also contingent upon whether one is a dichotomist or trichotomist. Consult Greek lexicons for more lengthy definitions of psuche as this definition is only a brief overview. (Click an excellent article on Soul in the Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology; see also ISBE article on Soul) 

TDNT writes that dianoia is the "common word for “thought” has such varied senses as (1) thought as a function, (2) the power of thought, the thinking consciousness, (3) the way of thought, (4) the result of thought, e.g., thought, idea, opinion, or judgment, (5) resolve of intention, and (6) the meaning of words or statements. The LXX uses it as an equivalent of kardia, and the usage is much the same in other Jewish works. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)

Third, once I have been faithful to the correct handling of the text, I pray about all the practical implications of this verse in my life.  This is application.

I ask myself, "am I really loving God?"  Then I think of passages in 1 John where the word links obedience to loving God.  Am I being obedient to God's word and yielding to the convictions of the holy spirit in my life.  This morning, I felt the temptation to skip time in the word with browsing Instagram and YouTube.  I was victorious this morning, but yesterday the internet "got me."  I was not loving God yesterday in my laziness.  

I ask myself, "am I loving God with all of my heart?"  If the heart is the deepest part of my being, then God will have dominion in every area of my life.

I ask myself, "am I loving God with all my soul?" In this context, the soul is part of the thinking capacity of the person.  Does God fill my thought life?  Is he constantly on my mind?  Do I take every thought captive and make them obedient to Christ?  When I love God with all my soul, I am surrendering all of my life to him.  I don't even have "me time" anymore.  There is no such thing.  I begin and end my day with this prayer, "Lord, what are you doing today?  Becuase I want to get on board with THAT!  I want to please you in all I do today."

I ask myself, "am I loving God with all of my mind?" This also refers to my thought life.  But I also understand this progression to be referring to the totality of the person: we are bio/psycho/socio.  We are heart, soul, and mind.  There are different aspects of me that make up who I am.  I think this passage is covering all of the person. Therefore, have I filled my mind with God to the point where I do nothing without thinking about how it is may be linked to pleasing the Father.  When I study the scriptures, I want to be faithful and diligent in studying it.  I don't want to turn to commentaries early on because I don't want to take shortcuts.  I want to do the work and study to show myself approved unto God.  A workman that needs not to be ashamed; one who correctly handles the word of truth.  That is loving God with all of my mind.  

Most of all, I want to be like Jesus who's mission was to please the Father.  All throughout his earthly ministry he constantly shifted his focus to doing that which pleased the Father. When people wanted him to heal, he often stopped and said, healing was not why he came, but he came to do what the Father has told him to do.  To preach about the Kingdom of God.  At the end of his earthly ministry, he did not even want to go to the cross!  He asked, "if is it possible, may this cup pass...but not my will but your will be done!"  He was constantly in line with pleasing the Father.  

And that is how I want to be as well.  This is what this passage looks like in practical terms. I love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, and mind. I give him all of me in my life, my study, my devotion, and in my body.  

I hope this helps answer your question.  Looking forward to more dialogue on this subject.

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 (revisited)

Here's a revisited CHECK DISC of one of my favorite passages, written by the Holy Spirit and recorded by Paul.

The Bible tells us that there are only two types of people in the World - those who have the Spirit of God and those who don't.  Some say, "Sain'ts and Ain'ts."  We ought to know the difference and the implications of it in evangelism/discipleship. 

The Context reveals that Paul just finished telling the Corinthians about who is privy to God's secret wisdom; namely, mature believers.  Now he's going to expound on the difference between the man withou the Spirit and the Spiritual man.

1 Corinthians 2:10-16

10 but God has revealed it (God’s Wisdom) to us by his Spirit.

 

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things[1] of God.

11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man

except the man’s spirit within him?

In the same way

 no one knows the thoughts of God

except the Spirit of God.

 

12 We have not received the spirit of the world but

                                        the Spirit who is from God,

that we may understand[2] what God has freely given us. 

 

 

13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but

       in words taught by the Spirit,

expressing spiritual [truths] in spiritual [words].  

 

14 The man without the Spirit does not accept

the things that come from the Spirit of God,

for they are foolishness to him,

and he cannot    understand them,

because they are spiritually discerned[3]. 

 

15 The spiritual man makes judgments[4] about all things,

but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: 

 

16  “For who has known the mind of the Lord

that he may instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

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[1] BaqoV-deep things

[2] oida-to know.  1PlPAS eidwmen- we might know.

[3] anakrinw-examined.

[4] anakrinw-examines.

 

EXEGETICAL IDEA (v. 10-13): Subject: What did Paul tell the Corinthians about what God has revealed, freely given and expressed to them? Complement: Paul told the Corinthians that God has revealed his wisdom by his Spirit, that he has freely given his Spirit so that they may understand what He has freely given and that His spirit has expressed to them spiritual truths in spiritual words.

EXEGETICAL IDEA (v. 14-16): Subject: What does Paul tell the Corinthians about the difference between the Man without the Spirit and with the Spiritual man? Complement: Paul tells the Corinthians that the man without the spirit does not accept the things that come from God while the spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment.

Bumper Sticker Summary: Got the Spirit?

Doctrinal Category: Doctrine of The Holy Spirit (i.e. pneumatology)

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Let's explore some key words/concepts:

Verse 10-11
"Through his Spirit" - Only the Holy Spirit could reveal the truths of God.  period.  Yes the concept that we are helpless without him is very apparent here.
We have learned that only the Holy Spirit could reveal the truths of God (read 2 Peter 1:19-21).

"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man" - We must make a distinction here between two words for Knowledge in the Greek language because both are mentioned here:
·        Know (oida): speaks of innate knowledge.  Intuitive knowledge.
·        Know (ginosko): speaks of experiential knowledge.  Knowledge through experience.  We could never have discovered the mysteries of god or the benefits of Christ’s death by ourselves via empirical evidence.  But we can know them by experience they have been freely given to us by God (Nelson study Bible).

Verse 12
"That we might understand"

NOTE: The doctrine of illumination does not mean…

·        That we know everything (cr. Deut 29:29)
·        That we do not need teachers (cf. Eph. 4:11,12)
·        Or that understanding does not require hard work (cf. 2 Tim 2:15)
          (MacArthur Study  Bible).

Verse 13
Paul emphasized that the intellectuals of this world could not teach the knowledge he was giving to the Corinthian believers.  Note that the Spirit did not simply dictate words to Paul and the other apostles; He taught them.  The apostles related with their own vocabulary and style what they had learned from the Spirit.

"Expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words"

·        These words are difficult to translate and interpret.  The Greek term translated comparing may also mean “to combine” or “to interpret.”  The two references to spiritual may mean interpreting spiritual truths to spiritual persons, or else combining spiritual truths with spiritual words.  The latter seems better.  In other words, the phrase teaches that the spiritual truths of God are combined with the spiritual vocabulary of the apostles (see 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21) (Nelson).
Verse 14
·        The natural man does not have the Spirit of God, in contrast to the Believer who does. 
·        Accept here means “to welcome.”  The verb does not pertain to discovering the meaning of a passage, but applying the meaning to life (Nelson).

Verse 15-16
·        The Mature believer judges all things; i.e. he can scrutinize, sift and thereby understand all things; but unbelievers and even carnal Christians cannot judge/appraise/examine him (Ryrie).
·        Obviously, unbelievers are able to recognize Christians’ faults and shortcomings; but they are not able to evaluate their true nature as spiritual people who have been transformed into children of God (cf. 1 John 3:2) (MacArthur).

"The mind of Christ"
Quoted form Isaiah 4013. The same word is translated “understanding” in 14:14, 15, 19.  Believers are allowed, by the Word and the Spirit, to know the thoughts of their Lord (cf. Luke 24:45).

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Here's one thing that I've never seen before.  How does Paul deal with these babies?  He resorts to giving them Milk and then he confronts their sin (Ch3).  He did the same thing that Jesus did in John 4 when the woman at the well "wasn't getting it."  He shifted the focus from her theology to her sin.  And it worked! 

Just food for thought for those of us who are "discipling" others and are not seeing any progression to maturity.  Perhaps the diet needs to be changed to a more palatable meal as well as a confrontation of sin.