Context, Context, Context

One of the most important aspects of Bible study is to understand a passage within its context. There is an immediate context, the context of the book, and the context of the Bible as a whole. We begin with the immediate and then compare that with the broader context of Scripture.

I say all of this because this is important in our discussion on wheter or not babies go to heaven. My son, Bobby, asked about the passages in Matthew 19:14 and Luke 18:16. To those passages we could add Mark 10:14. In all of these passages we read of Jesus saying (regarding babies) that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Now, is He talking about physical babies or is He speaking of His followers becoming like babies (dependent, trusting, etc.)? There is no doubt that Jesus says that His followers must become like little children, but in these verses Jesus is talking primarily about physical babies. Parents were bringing their little children to Jesus and the disciples were discouraging them. Jesus became indignant towards His disciples and He picked up the children and blessed them. These are the children Jesus is referring to in this context.

Now these verses don't resolve the question as to whether or not babies who die go to heaven. But they are a part of a list of very interesting verses and passages that give insight on this issue. In a previous post I referred to some fascinating statements made by Job. Today consider an important expression used by God to describe children in Nineveh. As you might remember, Jonah was angry that God had shown mercy to Nineveh. Part of God's explanation to this pouting prophet was that He had to have compassion on this city because there were 120,000 persons who couldn't discern between their left hand and their right hand (Jonah 4:11). This is generally understood as a reference to little children who are not yet able to show moral discernment. God felt that He had to show mercy to these children. This gives us reason to think about this subject of what happens to babies who die.

Again, we need to be careful as we approach the Scripture and look at just what it says and all that it says. We must avoid making deductions from what it does not say. More important than what you might think about the subject of babies that die is that you have a solid approach to the Word of God and that approach must include an emphasis on context, context, context.

That's how we cut it straight.

It's Hot!

The last few days the tempatures have hovered around the 110 degree mark. In case you were wondering - that's hot! The heat wave has led to record energy demands but, fortunately, so far there have been no black outs. Also, in the evenings it will cool down to the almost bearable point so we get some temporary relief. But there isn't much you can do when it is this hot. It is just plain uncomfortable.

The heat brings out different reactions in people. It reveals to us just how much we crave personal comfort. When we get uncomfortable we can get pretty grumpy. A lot of people complain when it gets so hot. Others just look for the coolest place they can find and become passive, trying to preserve their energy any way they can.

The same thing can happen to us in a spiritual realm. As Christians we are warned that we will face opposition and persecution. Peter tells us not to be surprised by the fiery trials we will face (1 Peter4:12). Yet many Christians don't do so well when the heat gets turned up. The opposition may come from family members, classmates, or co-workers. We can be slandered and misstreated. Some Christians get grumpy, whiny, and complain when this happens. Others just try to find a cool spot and become passive in living for the Lord. Even as Christians we can still crave a comfortable, hassle free life.

We can learn from Daniel's friends mentioned in Daniel 3. They were facing opposition from the most powerful man on earth and if they did not comply with King Nebuchadnezzar's command, they would literally be thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego didn't compromise, they stood up to the pressure and they were willing to suffer for the Lord. They were prepared to take the heat. They demonstrated a level of conviction that few of us know anything about. There was something they valued more than their own comfort and that was to honor the Lord. There was something they feared more than the King's word and that was the Word of the King of kings.

So let's use these "dog days" of summer as a way to practice the right attitude. Let's not be fixated on personal comfort but on obedience to our glorious Lord. We've been saved from the ultimate fires of judgment, let's rejoice in the abundant life He has given us which isn't dependent on outward circumstance. Amen? Amen!

If you'll excuse me now, I'm going to go jump in the pool. Maranatha.

Babys In Heaven?

As a pastor I have had to deal with many difficult situations. Twice I have had to do funerals for babies that died at birth. These situations always raise the question about the eternal destiny of these little lives. Do they go to heaven? Do they go to hell? Do some go to heaven and some go to hell? Do we not know what happens to babies who die?

Well, I've noticed some discussion about this in the blogosphere lately and I have personally had some discussions recently on this subject, so I thought I would mention it here. What does happen to babies who die?

The overwhelming answer of the church throughout history has been that babies that die go to heaven. But what does the Bible say? Is the church just expressing warm sentiment or do we have a biblical leg to stand on? Let me give you something to chew on.

Consider Job. Job was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil. God said regarding Job, "There is no one like him on the earth." Job faced some incredible adversity in his life, as the book of Job records for us. Listen to some of the comments that Job makes in the midst of his adversity.

Why did I not die at birth,
Come forth from the womb and expire?
Job 3:11

Why then hast Thou brought me out of the womb?
Would that I had died and no eye had seen me!
I should have been as though I had not been, carried from womb to tomb.
Job 10:18-19

Job is saying it would have been better for him to die at birth than to experience what he did. How can he say that? Remember, these are the statements of the most godly man on earth at the time. Perhaps he understood that babies who die go to heaven.

This is just one place in Scripture that gives us some insight into the destiny of babies who die.

What do you think?

The 4th

A lot of what I've been thinking about and doing lately has been related somehow to the number 4.

For, example, this past week we celebrated the 4th of July. This is always a special day to me. I majored in U.S. History at USC so I appreciate the historical significance. Also, and more significantly, 30 years ago, while everyone else was celebrating the 200th birthday of our nation, I was being baptized as a believer. This year was special because my dad got to meet his great grandson. This is a picture of the 4 generations. Quite a handsome looking group if I do say so myself.

Speaking of family, I have been working on a study of Deuteronomy 6 this past week. In this chapter I have identified 4 imperitives directed to parents. They are to be fearing, loving, teaching, and testifying. I'll be sharing more of this study in future blogs.

Also, we recently got a new puppy. His name is Buddy. You can read about him here. Guess what? He is the 4th dog Roberta and I have owned.

Funny how things work out like this and I am thankful for all that the Lord has brought into my life recently.

The Bottom Line

Psalm 128 says that the man who fears the Lord will blessed with a fruitful family. That is the bottom line. We all want advise for our family. This is not bad. We need to think through how we communicate, what activities to be involved in, what kind of schooling for our children. We can and should get wise counsel regarding these issues. But it all begins with the fear of the Lord.

When we understand who God is, who I am, what Christ has done for me and the standing I have, as a believer, before God, well, it should just make me fall all my face in humble awe. Definitely with this realization, God should have my attention. I should desire to please Him and it won't matter who my wife or husband is, what they are or are not doing, in what way they are responding, because my joy comes in knowing my Savior and walking with Him. No matter how many times I have to discipline my children, I am going to heaven because a totally holy God sent His perfect Son to die in my place. Unbelievable! Overwhelming grace!

When I live in the fear of the Lord it takes the pressure off my family. I live for Him and He has given them to me to enjoy life with. What a great gift has been given to me in my family. They may not do everything in a way that meets with my convenience, but that is ok. I don't expect from them what only my Savior can give and besides, who am I that I should be treated like a king. Do I know all the answers as a husband or a father - hardly! Just ask my family. But I do know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. That's the bottom line.

I think the problem in recent decades has been too much focus on the family and not enough focus on the fear of the Lord (how many sermons have you heard on this topic even though it permeates the Scripture - Old and New Testament. This would be a good book suggestion for any aspiring authors out there.)

So, yes, we need to think through the practicalities of family life but it must begin with the fear of the Lord. That is the bottom line.

P.S. Sorry I am slow at my posting, I'll try to do better.

P.P.S. I'm pretty sure there is some bad grammar in this text (sorry Miss Elmer) but I am writing in a hurry and with a passion.