Human Nature Hasn’t Changed

It’s true that all our lives have been changed by technology. The smartphone has only been around for just over a decade but it’s already reshaped society. But underneath it all human nature hasn’t changed. We still have our frustrations and disappointments, our yearnings and desires for something better, and our weaknesses and failings.

The Bible has the most powerful account there is of the positives and negatives of human nature. It explains why we are the way we are – the problems like greed, exploitation and excess that are still part of society – and it tells us what we can do about it, how we can find relief and comfort in our shortcomings, and how we can grow and be better.

It gives us a yardstick by which we can make judgements and learn how we ought to live. Most of us have a sense that we’d like to be more than we currently are and the Bible shows us how. It provides wonderful guidance and direction for everyday life.

The Human Story

Second, the Bible provides a historical context for our lives. It explains the human story – the path that human history has followed right up to the current affairs of today. The background to the tensions in the Middle East, for instance is all explained, and the Bible describes how future events in Jerusalem will unfold and will ultimately broaden out to affect the whole world.

Our lives are part of a bigger story of God’s unfolding purpose which the Bible explains. We are part of a larger narrative that God is working out, and to understand something of that is a wonderful blessing.

Roadmap for the Future

That introduces the third point. The Bible gives a roadmap for the future. People often ask what the world is coming to and where society is headed. Well we don’t need to be uncertain about that. The Bible clearly and powerfully answers that question.

The world we see around us today is not the world that God is planning. He’s planning something far, far better in his kingdom which is to come. Life today is just a stepping stone towards that wonderful time.

There is a real and exciting hope for the future, but that future impacts the way we might want to live today. Now is the time to prepare, to live a life which is real and fulfilling and which calls forth from us the best that we can be.

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…then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Genesis 2:7

Man was first of all formed from the dust of the earth, and only became a living creature when God gave that vital breath of life. Genesis also records the origin of death – man and woman disobeyed God’s commandment and so they were punished.

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Genesis 3:19

Genesis chapter 1 tells us that we have been created in God’s image. But beyond that, there is little difference between mankind and animals. Animals too have been formed from the dust, and made living creatures by God’s breath of life. Later in Genesis we read of a flood that covered the earth, as punishment for the wickedness of men and women. Here the point is made that as far as the breath of life is concerned, men and women are the same as animals.

And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died.

Genesis 7:21-22

The following passage in Ecclesiastes leaves us in no doubt about this point:

For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.

Ecclesiastes 3:19-20

What becomes of us when we die?

The passages quoted above speak of returning to the dust – a concept that we understand from our knowledge of the decay a body following death. But is there anything else? This trio of quotations helps to answer that question:

For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?

Psalm 6:5

The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence.

Psalm 115:17

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten… Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Ecclesiastes 9:5-10

Emphatically then, when we die, there is nothing beyond the decay of our lifeless bodies. We have no consciousness; there is no longer an existence of our person in any form. Death is a punishment for sin, and without further provision it is an utter end.

But the Bible tells us there is hope beyond the grave. It likens death to a sleep, pointing to a promise of being awake – alive – once again.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel 12:2

There is no guarantee – for some death will be final and everlasting – but if we are willing to serve God, he is willing to forgive us and give us the gift of everlasting life in his coming kingdom.

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

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Practical – what does this mean? Related words are “practice” and “practically”. “Practice” either gives the impression of a “dry run” – opportunity to learn your trade, hone your skills, so they are at their best before the real business starts – or to learn what is required to overcome your weaknesses, so that you don’t come unstuck when it really matters. A good coach is a great help in this regard.

“Practice” also has the meaning of a place where doctors apply their skills for benefit to the health of their patients, perhaps even to the detection of a life-threatening condition. “Practically” also relates to “nearly”, which might indicate a narrow escape, a “near miss”, a “close call”, or didn’t quite get something right.

Disciple

We can see the connection with “discipline”, which of course can be a verb or a noun. It’s easier to think of “being disciplined”, for something which we should not have done, or for something which we have not carried out correctly. To be a disciple means that you have someone in whose principles you believe, to whose example you aspire – someone whose influence you genuinely want to reflect in the actions and responses of your life.

There’s a lot of relevance to the living of daily life in this paragraph, because being practical goes with having a disciplined approach to things – better able to face up to difficulties, to whatever challenges life brings our way.

Jesus Christ

Every one of these positive – practical – qualities can be found in the teaching, and example, of Jesus Christ. We Christadelphians look to him as our Master and our Friend, and we wait for his return to the Earth to rule with power and authority – to end the tragedy of mankind’s misrule.

How did we find out about these things? By reading the Bible, and by trying to apply its teaching to our lives. Even as the Old Testament points the way towards the need for Christ in the world, so the New Testament gives the evidence that his way of life is vital. It is the means of ending the sadness, and the bringing of salvation to whoever believes and is baptised. This can mean you – don’t be a “practically” person – choose life in Jesus and have it more abundantly! Here are some examples of Jesus’ message to us:

Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28 – 30

Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14: 6

Whoever comes to me, and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

Luke 6:47-48

Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Luke 10:37

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And the angel said to [Mary]… you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus… And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever

Luke 1:30-33

Many years earlier the prophet Isaiah had prophesied, in words used in Handel’s oratorio Messiah, that one day a child would be born who would take over David’s throne and be King of Israel and he would reign forever.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

Isaiah 9:6–7

Another prophet, Jeremiah, tells us this throne will still be in Jerusalem, where David’s throne was and adds that not only Israel but all nations will gather there. Jesus will be King of all the world, not just Israel.

At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the Lord in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 3:17

However we are told in the Bible that Jesus died without ever being a king, in fact he suffered a criminal’s death by crucifixion, although above him on his cross was a sign that read:

This is the King of the Jews

Luke 23:28

After Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection one of his followers, Peter, inspired by God, spoke of how Jesus had been raised from the dead and was now with God.

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God… Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

Acts 2:32-36

The name Christ means ‘Anointed’ and indicates Jesus’ kingship and Jesus himself told of the time in the future when he would sit on his throne as king of all nations

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations

Matt 25:31

So one day soon Jesus will return to earth to sit on his glorious throne in Jerusalem as King of all the nations of the earth.

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No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Put your faith in God – we can bear it when we accept that God can guide us. This helps to avoid being caught in a vicious circle which only increases stress and anguish.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 12:19

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 14:12

We can look at Jesus himself, who knew that it was his fate to be crucified at the hands of men. Consider this burden which he had to bear, and see what can be learned from his example – he felt understandable anguish from his situation. He could have fled, but he knew, as we can find out from the Bible message, why this would go against God’s purpose for the faithful. He went with his disciples to the peaceful Garden of Gethsemane to pray:

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Luke 22:39-46

After this, Jesus went to meet his betrayer; he was able to cope with the situation through prayer and meditation. By putting his trust in God he carries out what was expected of him, showing how we too can pray and meditate to deal with our problems. We can use these scriptural examples and others to help us both prepare for such difficulties we see coming in our lives, as well as helping us deal with them as they occur. Wonderfully, God tells us that a time will come when those who are guided by His word through this difficult age will be able to rejoice in a world which is changed for the better:

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:10

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Devil

The word for Devil is not found at all in the Old Testament. The original word means false accuser or slanderer. Judas is described as a devil because he betrayed his Lord.

Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”

 

John 6:70

In two letters that Paul wrote (1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 2:3) he exhorted believers not to be devils and all he was saying was – don’t be a false accuser or a slanderer.

There are two passages below which teach us that our human nature, our sinfulness, is referred to as the devil. The Bible tells us that we die because of sin and yet there is a hope of salvation because Jesus died as a sacrifice for sin. In his sacrifice the power of sin was destroyed. Referring to Jesus, Hebrews records

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he (Jesus) himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:14

We find the same theme in John’s epistle.

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8

Satan

The original word simply means an adversary or an opponent. The friend and close apostle of Jesus, Simon Peter was described as a Satan when he rebuked Jesus for saying that he was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Jesus knew that this would happen to him.

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.

Matthew 16:22-23

In the Old Testament a good angel was described as a Satan when he stood in the way of Balaam when he travelled against God’s wishes.

But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.

Numbers 22:22

Demons

There are two uses of this term. Firstly we find that references to demons and pagan gods are interchangeable. An example in the Old Testament is Deuteronomy 32:17 and Psalm 106:37. An example in the New Testament is 1 Corinthians 10:14, 20 and 21.

The main use of the term demons is to describe an illness of the mind including an epileptic fit. Jesus healed various people with such problems and one example is recorded in Matthew 17.

And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.

Matthew 17:14-18

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the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Genesis 1:2-3

What God said with his own breath happened, and when making man we’re told that:

the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Genesis 2:7

The Apostle Paul when speaking about God said that:

he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything and he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’

Acts 17:25,27-28.

God’s power, his breath and his words all come together in 2 Tim 3:16 when we are told concerning the Bible that all Scripture is breathed out by God.

It is clear from these passages that God wants us to know that his power, both in his breath and in his speech is vital for our life, both in terms of our bodies continuing to work, but also that what he speaks, as we can read about in the Bible, is vital for our spiritual wellbeing – our relationship with him not only as our creator but as our Father in Heaven.

In additional to everything said above, it is clear though that the term Holy Spirit can often refer specifically to

miraculous events. There are examples of miracles happening by the power of the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible but it is the New Testament where we read the most about them. Jesus was given the Holy Spirit by God:

Jesus also had been baptized…and the Holy Spirit descended on him…like a dove.

Luke 3:21-22.

We then can read about the many miracles he did such as turning water to wine and raising Lazarus from the dead. After Jesus’ own resurrection from death and subsequent ascension to heaven, we are then told of many of Jesus’ followers being given the Holy Spirit themselves and being able to do miracles too. These were essential in the early church to preach the Gospel to those who had never heard of Jesus before. Especially important was the ability to speak and understand many languages, but also to perform miracles such as healing.

The question is, are these or any miracles possible today? Of churches who would say that yes they are still available, the most frequently spoken of are those of tongues and healings, yet it is easy to differentiate between what happened in the New Testament and what happens today. For those which claim to be able to speak in tongues today, witnessed if you were to visit certain charismatic churches, it would be apparent that it is not speaking in or understanding a foreign language as it was in Biblical times, but merely making unknown noises which others claim to be able to understand and translate. Healings witnessed nowadays are of course harder to dismiss but you certainly never hear of anyone being raised from the dead, something done frequently by early Christians who were given the Holy Spirit. We are told regarding how we pray to God that:

the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working

James 5:16.

So we should not dismiss anyone who claims that healing has occurred, but this should only be credited to God rather than to any power that one may claim to hold which has been given to them from God.

The Bible is very clear that not everyone in the first century was able to give others the Holy Spirit and an example is in Acts 8. Later Paul wrote in his first letter to Corinth that spirit gifts bestowed such as speaking in tongues would cease.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10

Our experience today is one where we know we have the complete written record of what God has caused to be written down for us by the Holy Spirit, the inspired word of God, the Bible. He speaks to us in a spiritual sense through this book, so our aim is to be part of his new creation, reborn through baptism. Jesus spoke about this when speaking to Nicodemus, saying:

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’

John 3.3-7.

There is nothing mystical about this, there is no magical power which dwells in us after we have been baptised, it is all about understanding that just as God keeps our physical bodies alive through his own breath, so if we believe on him and commit to following Jesus then we should be spiritually reborn, trying to do the things which please him as we prepare to live in God’s Kingdom.

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This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:11-12

The Council commanded Peter and the other apostles not to preach about Jesus, but we read in the next chapter they were arrested for doing just that. After a miraculous release from prison, they continued to speak about Jesus. Peter explained to them why they had disobeyed their instruction:

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 5:29-31

The apostle Paul also emphasized the importance of what Jesus accomplished by his death. Firstly, speaking in a synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia on his first missionary journey with Barnabas, he told his largely Jewish audience:

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man (Jesus) forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:38-39

Paul also began his letters to the churches at Ephesus and Colosse with a reference to the importance of the forgiveness of sins obtained by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. To the Ephesians:

In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he (God) lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.

Ephesians 1:7-8

Similarly to the Colossians:

He (God) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

In order to seek God to forgive our sins, our attitude is very important. The Bible tells us that we should confess our sins, do our best not to repeat them and forgive others.

The Old Testament speaks of forgiveness only once, in the Psalms:

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

Psalm 130:3-4

However, as we have seen, this forgiveness could not be obtained through the Law of Moses. The writer to the Hebrews explains why, and refers to a Psalm of David which provides a foretaste of God’s plan of salvation, centred in the sacrifice of His son, the Lord Jesus Christ:
But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me……” .

For by a single offering he (Jesus) has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:3-5, 14

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus afford forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life at his return.

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At this time of year, the name of Jesus is mentioned a lot, as people think about the time of his birth. But how many think of the prophecies he made during his life on earth? His words in Luke 21 vv 10 and 11 could describe the times we are living in:

… Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

At time of writing, the Ebola outbreak has killed over 4,000 people. Something that appeared to be limited to areas of West Africa is now becoming a global crisis. Could this be one of the “pestilences” Jesus described? Perhaps this seems a rather gloomy subject for a season when many people are planning celebrations. Yet the reality is that disease and other problems do not disappear just because people want to focus on having a good time. Healthcare workers are still tending the sick, families are still bereaved, parents are still worrying about their children, people are still having difficult times.

We can try to ignore all that if we are fortunate enough not to be affected ourselves. Or we can spare a thought for those who are suffering and try to help in some way. At this time of year, people are often more generous than they would be at other times, but the help they give is only a drop in the ocean. Jesus knew this too. He said to his disciples, “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.” (Matthew 26 v 11) Nobody had more compassion for people in need than Jesus, but he recognised that even the miracles he did would only last a lifetime. He wanted to give his followers everlasting life in a renewed and joyful earth. The good news is that he still does, and the signs of his return are all around us.

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The Bible tells us that this life is only a preparation for something a lot better to come. It doesn’t mean our lives now aren’t important – in fact, how we choose to spend our lives now is a key factor in what happens to us next.

The fact is that the world today is not going to continue as it is. God has a much better plan for this earth than man could ever dream up. It includes the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to reign as King over the whole earth. He will raise people from death and there will be a huge clean-up operation to fix the problems caused by man’s greed.

When Jesus ascended to heaven after his death and resurrection, angels told his disciples:

..why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.

Acts 1 v11

Without that vision, life definitely is too short. Give yourself the opportunity to find out more about God’s plan for this world by reading His book, the Bible. Life doesn’t have to be too short.

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