Face and heart

NORSK
The verse I focus on today is from the section on self-centeredness which Paul encouraged Timothy to be aware off, and he had more to say about people of the last days: They are

Having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof
2 Tim 3:5a  

When we watch the world today it is easy to think these words with political leaders who are trying to play their cards to please the largest religious groups in their countries. Yet it is important to bear in mind that it is God who is the judge of human hearts. My task is to pray for governments and leaders, even for those with whom I disagree. We have a God who is far greater than any power in this world, and I believe in his influence. 

However, I want to take this down to my level. I have an appearance that signals godliness both through wearing the uniform of the Salvation Army and e.g. on Facebook with my reflection on Christian living and godliness. With regard to my personal relationship with God, appearance counts for nothing if the power of godliness is not working in my heart. 

In his proverbs, Solomon (another mentor) told his son to keep the good words he had learned in his heart, and then he wrote:

Above everything else guard your heart,
because from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23 

It is completely in line with the core in Paul’s mentoring of Timothy.

With regard to finding a cure for self-centredness, this is the right medication: It is more important to save heart than face.

‘Manna’ for today

Focus on the heart, because from it flows the springs of life

Misuse of the Bible

A couple of days back I wrote about "Detailed instructions" and that some of the instructions are outdated. I am convinced that some because of that statement immediately concluded that "Jostein is no longer true to the Bible". However, if I read everything Paul wrote, it may on the contrary be abuse to draw conclusions from the individual verses that I call ‘outdated’ (1).
 
This is a typical example:

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
1 Timothy 6:1-2

It would be totally wrong of me to interpret this exhortation to suggest that Paul was a supporter of slavery. In his understanding, slavery is unthinkable in God's kingdom. The same applies to the fact that all individuals have equal value regardless of gender and ethnic background (2). However, if this was his position, the obvious question arises:

“Why did Paul ask Timothy to teach and insist on subordination?”

I think the answer is very simple. 
Paul did not believe in a transformation through an upheaval. He was convinced by "the most excellent way" (3) and that God’s love from within would transform not only the individuals but the relationships between them and ultimately the entire community. It was not about an outward revolution based on power and violence, but an inner revolution guided by a love that never perishes.

Unfortunately, power, separated from love, corrupted even the church throughout its history. This has led both to defense of slavery and oppression of women, but it is not in line with the Word of God. Rather it is contempt of what God through His Word want to see come true: Unity and equality in Jesus Christ. Such contempt is also expressed in 2017. Therefore, I must “keep a close watch over myself” so that I do not misuse the Word in the same way.

'Manna' for today:

It is possible to misuse the word of God

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(1) If you read “Detailed instructions”, you will also see the statement “the spirit and the care behind the instruction form a principal of eternal value”
(2) There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28
(3) And yet I will show you the most excellent way - 1 Corinthians 12: 31b, and from there Paul wrote The Chapter of Love