Musick-al Notes

Musick-al Note # 160                               

      Many people today tend to treat Christianity as a religious veneer to cover their social imperfections so that they might do as they please in their work and recreation, yet be pleasing to God.  I pray that that Christianity is the way of life for every one of you.  Jesus lived and taught so we can follow His example in our living (1 Peter 2:21).  We should examine and measure our every act in the light of His divine will.  This would include our language and habits as well as the places to which we go and the things we do.  Following Christ was never meant to be a veneer or a covering but to become the core of one’s life.

      To live one kind of life on the job and another on Sunday morning is hypocrisy.   To speak harsh, ugly words through the week and lead prayer on Sunday morning is hypocrisy.  To engage in worldly entertainment through the week and sing praises to God on Sunday morning is hypocrisy.  To claim to be a Christian on Sunday morning and live lives of worldliness through the week is hypocrisy.  To be pleasing to God, we must not be conformed to the world through the week but rather we must live transformed lives day by day that will show that we are not our own but that we belong to Christ who loved us and gave His blood to redeem us from sin.  How can we continue to commit sin when we know the -great price Jesus paid to redeem us from the result of our sins (Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23).  He died to ransom everyone from sin’s penalty (death) and now asks that we obey Him to have our sins forgiven (Hebrews 5:9, Acts 22:16). One’s obedience makes that person a child of God and at the same time places them into Christ (Galatians 3:27-27). 

      Another area of hypocrisy that multitudes have ignored is claiming to be following Christ but follow false teachers in worship. Please note that from the beginning of the church (Acts 2) that those who obeyed the teaching to have their sins forgiven were at the same time added to the church that belonged to Jesus (Acts 2:47). They were not told to join the church of their choice. Jesus and his disciples warned against false teachers and following false doctrines that lead to eternal death (Matthew 7:13-27, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Galatians 1:6-9).  Let us continue to measure ourselves in all aspects of life.

                 Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 159              

        I am not sure as to what is meant when asked this question but I will try to give an answer based on the New Testament.  Simply stated, the Christian life is a life which a follower of Jesus Christ tries to live in this world.  It is a life dedicated to Him who saves from sin.  It is a sanctified life, set apart from sin that one might serve God.  Christians are called to be saints in the Bible (1 Corinthians 1:2).

      The word “saint” in the Bible is from the Greek word “hagios” which means “one set apart”.  It refers to EVERY Christian, for every Christian has been called and set apart for the work and service of God.  He is “sanctified”.  (See 1 Corinthians 1:2).  The Roman Catholic idea of someone being a “saint” who has been especially called and named by their leaders, and one who has died and to be revered is not found in the Bible. Of course all saints in the Bible sense should pray for each other (James 5:16), but that means that if I am a Christian, I am a saint, and I should pray for you.  And if you are a Christian, you are a saint, and should pray for me.

      SANCTIFICATION has a basic meaning of “separation” and, in the Bible relates to that which is separated from ordinary things to be used for a sacred purpose.  It is used of times, places, things and people.  The idea of some denominational groups that sanctification means “total sinlessness” is not supported by the Bible.  When the Bible speaks of God as being “holy” (the root word is the same as “sanctified”), it refers to his being separated from all evil.  When man is sanctified, he is separated from the world and worldly things and his life is therefore dedicated to God.  Of course, if he is thus “positionally” sanctified, he should live apart from sin.  When Paul wrote to those “saints” in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2), they were “sanctified” or holy, in the sense that they had been separated from sin in their obedience to the gospel.  He pointed out that they were not living sinless lives, and needed to repent.  The Christian life is the striving to live a sinless life in the world.  Since all sin (1 John 1:7-10), the Christian will repent and ask forgiveness for all sin that is committed, knowing that the blood of Christ will cleanse us from those sins.

              Gordon Musick

Musick-al not # 158                   

       In Acts 8:26-40, a eunuch of Ethiopia, a man of great authority under queen Candace had been to Jerusalem to worship.  As he was riding home from Jerusalem, he was reading from the prophet Isaiah that stated, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth”

(Isaiah 53:7). It is possible that this very passage was one read in the temple the previous day and everyone discussed their possible meaning or it could be that this prophecy just happened to come into his daily reading of the Word of God.  The prophecies of the Old Testament were usually a mystery to the Jews.  Not because they failed to study but because the prophecies related to the future. The prophets were read by the priests and their meaning discussed with wonder.  All prophecies were important so this one was important also. 

      His quest for knowledge was great and the spirit of learning caused the eunuch to invite Philip to join him.  Philip was able to apply this prophesy as well as all those which applied to Jesus because it was revealed to him from the Holy Spirit. Phillip began at this scripture and preached to him Jesus speaking of His death that fulfilled the prophecies of the Scriptures. Hearing the gospel and believing that Jesus is the Son of God, he was baptized into Christ (Acts 8:39), bringing great joy to the eunuch. 

       In today’s world, with the written Word of both Old and New Testaments, one can easily see the connection of Old Testament prophecies and their fulfilment in Christ Jesus.  One may even wonder why the Jews did not easily understand them. Perhaps the only answer is found in Paul’s statements in 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 and 4:4-4. At the same time Paul declared that those who believe and turn to the Lord will be greatly blessed because there is salvation in Christ (Acts 4:12). 

              Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 157

       We may often err in ignorance both in speech and deed, but it is a grave mistake to err with full knowledge that we are wrong when we do that thing.  Paul said that the Corinthians were not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).  How often we fall into his snare because we are ignorant of them and because of our lack of knowledge, we thwart the whole purpose of God.  We are here for a purpose, we are saved for a purpose and we should fulfill that purpose for which God made us and saved us.  Jesus spoke of the purpose of His followers in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.”  Paul in Ephesians 2:10 spoke of that purpose when he said, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has previously ordained that we should walk in them.”

       How then do we thwart the purpose of God?  When we know to do good and refuse to do it, we thwart the purpose of God in our lives. When we know the command of God and disobey Him, we thwart the purpose of God also.  We thwart the purpose of God when we do not live so that others can know we are Christians.  Whether this example is by word or by deed, if others stumble because of our lives it thwarts God’s purpose for He would have all men to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4)  He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires all men to repent.  When we fail to work and serve in the kingdom, we thwart the purpose of God.  Christ will save His church, which is His body (Ephesians 5:23) and if we, because of neglect, failure, or in willful disobedience, are separated from the body, what will our end be?  If we forsake the assembly of the saints, where Christ has promised to be (Matthew 18:20), will we thwart the purpose of God who desires our worship?  Yes, and we will thwart the purpose of God in that others will be drawn away by our example.  Make any or all the excuses you wish as you live your life and when you finish, if the purpose of God has been thwarted, then you still stand condemned because you have not put His kingdom first nor given your life and influence to fulfill the purpose of God that all men be saved.

           Gordon Musick

    Musick-al note # 156                      

       There is a lot of confusion and false teachings regarding Christians and the church.  Some speak of the “church” as being the building in which people meet, but this is NOT the church. Some teach that the “church” is a denomination with all its superstructure, organization and worship, but this is NOT the church of the New Testament.  The church that Jesus built is called ‘the body of Christ’ and each Christian is a member of it, functioning for the good of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) while following Jesus, its head.

       The “church of Christ” spoken about in the New Testament is the body of believers who are “called out” of the world by the Gospel of Christ and who render obedience to Him.  These people are the “church of Christ”.  The term church (gathering) comes from the original word “ekklesia” meaning “ek” = “out”; “klesia” = “called” or the “called out” gathering or assembly. We can see this from the Scriptures that speak of our being “called” 2 Thessalonians 2:14 “to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  Men and women who obey Christ are added to His body which is the church. (Acts 2:41, 47) “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Verse 47, “And the Lord added to the church (the called out) daily those who were being saved.”

       And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18). Jesus is supreme, foremost among the redeemed from their lives of sin. We obey Him who paid the ransom to redeem our souls from death.  We trust and follow His teaching for He is our foundation of eternal life (Acts 4:12). We live in fellowship with one another as members of His body for as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” therefore we live for Him. 

            Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 155           

     We know some things about angels but most of the scriptures that mention them are concerned with their announcements from God and their service to His people. It is not revealed their beginnings. They are mentioned in various ways as they come into contact with mankind.  There are archangels, some named, and many were soldiers, armed and ready for battle as well as messengers of God.

      However, not all beings in the eternal realm were godly but some were rebellious, malicious and evil. Was Satan an angel who rebelled in the eternal realm where God dwells?  No definite answer has been given in scripture, but soon after God created all things, Satan appeared in the Garden of Eden and tempted Eve with the fruit of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3:1) which caused her to sin.  I do not know Satan’s status with God, but Satan came with angels when they presented themselves before God (Job 1:6), God knew the deceiver and asked about faithful Job. Satan’s answers were that Job had no choice because of God’s goodness and protection to him. Allowed to afflict Job with loss of family, possessions and sores from head to foot, Satan shows his true nature by seeking to destroy an innocent man. Satan (called the old serpent, the devil) lost his place in heaven in a war against Michael and his angels. He and his angels were banned from heaven and cast down to the earth where he deceived the world (Revelation 12:7-9) by appearing as an angel of light and false teachers appear to be ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

      There are many references to the angels of God as they did His bidding and many things about them are given: they have levels of authority, they could act directly on mankind (Genesis 19:1-15), they do not marry (Mark 12:25), only a few are named (Luke 1:19, Jude 9), they are not to be worshipped (Hebrews 1:6, Revelation 19:10), they rejoice when a sinner repents (Luke 15:10), they are ministering spirits to the righteous (Hebrews 1:14), they are subject to Christ (1 Peter 3:22), they watch over children and report to God (Matthew 18:10), they do not know the hour of the end (Matthew 24:36) and some were warriors who fought for God’s people (Numbers 22:22, Joshua 5:14), they are the reapers at the end of the world (Matthew 13:39) and they guard the gates of the heavenly city (Revelation 21:12). There is an innumerable host of angels in the heavenly city (Hebrews 12:22).

              Gordon Musick               

Musick-al note # 155           

     We know some things about angels but most of the scriptures that mention them are concerned with their announcements from God and their service to His people. It is not revealed their beginnings. They are mentioned in various ways as they come into contact with mankind.  There are archangels, some named, and many were soldiers, armed and ready for battle as well as messengers of God.

      However, not all beings in the eternal realm were godly but some were rebellious, malicious and evil. Was Satan an angel who rebelled in the eternal realm where God dwells?  No definite answer has been given in scripture, but soon after God created all things, Satan appeared in the Garden of Eden and tempted Eve with the fruit of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3:1) which caused her to sin.  I do not know Satan’s status with God, but Satan came with angels when they presented themselves before God (Job 1:6), God knew the deceiver and asked about faithful Job. Satan’s answers were that Job had no choice because of God’s goodness and protection to him. Allowed to afflict Job with loss of family, possessions and sores from head to foot, Satan shows his true nature by seeking to destroy an innocent man. Satan (called the old serpent, the devil) lost his place in heaven in a war against Michael and his angels. He and his angels were banned from heaven and cast down to the earth where he deceived the world (Revelation 12:7-9) by appearing as an angel of light and false teachers appear to be ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

      There are many references to the angels of God as they did His bidding and many things about them are given: they have levels of authority, they could act directly on mankind (Genesis 19:1-15), they do not marry (Mark 12:25), only a few are named (Luke 1:19, Jude 9), they are not to be worshipped (Hebrews 1:6, Revelation 19:10), they rejoice when a sinner repents (Luke 15:10), they are ministering spirits to the righteous (Hebrews 1:14), they are subject to Christ (1 Peter 3:22), they watch over children and report to God (Matthew 18:10), they do not know the hour of the end (Matthew 24:36) and some were warriors who fought for God’s people (Numbers 22:22, Joshua 5:14), they are the reapers at the end of the world (Matthew 13:39) and they guard the gates of the heavenly city (Revelation 21:12). There is an innumerable host of angels in the heavenly city (Hebrews 12:22).

              Gordon Musick                          

Musick-al Note # 154              

          Let this mind be in you, which was also in the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5).  He was with God, on equality with God, yes, He was God.  He had greatness, honor, position, enjoyed fellowship with the Father, received worship of the angels and was glorified of all in that place.  Love caused Him to come to earth, walk among men, humble himself to obey God even submitting to the death on the cross.  Love so amazing, so divine to give Himself for the sinner, the enemy of God, even for those who opposed Him and who crucified Him.  Our minds can hardly conceive such love and such devotion yet the apostle exhorts “Let this mind be in you!”

          We, with our positions, pride and titles of seeming greatness find it hard to condescend to men of low estate, much less to have the mind of Christ.  “Look up to me” we cry from a heart of pride.  “My way must be followed” we shout presumptuously.  “If you don’t like what I do, then submit anyway or leave, as far as I’m concerned” our haughty spirit declares.  We fear the loss of honor and esteem if we admit wrongs and mistakes.  We have a position to uphold and therefore we must be right at all times and if we aren’t, then wait until the people forget.  It just doesn’t matter about them, what they think, what they do, what they say, we’ll do what we want to do anyway.

          The mind of Christ is in the lowly one, the loving one, the humble one. In those who know they have sinned and yet do sin but now seek forgiveness. They harbor no bitterness in their hearts, no grudge against any and desire the salvation of all.  They must of necessity submit to God and fellowman for they consider self as nothing.  These indeed are blessed of God and will be raised up in honor in the last day.  They have the mind of Christ.

                  Gordon Musick

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THE WORD WE MUST FACE

Musick-al Note # 153                

          Jesus said the words He uttered while here would judge us in the last day (John 12:48).  How can we say we are ready for judgment when we do not know His will?  We can know His will only when we know His Word, the Bible.  Yet it is so easy to neglect the study of the Bible.  It is easy to find some excuse for not attending Bible classes and worship.  We promise ourselves that we intend to get started someday, and the promise of doing right in the future gives our minds some ease.  However we never get around to it.  Are all these promises going to help us when we stand before the Lord to be judged by the Word we have neglected?  Not at all, for merely promising and not doing avails nothing.  We must not only begin to study the Word of God but we also must begin to do His will.  A promise, if not kept is only a forfeit of good intentions.  It may give us temporary relief, but if not kept, it only increases the burden which we thought was erased. If you don’t like to hear about giving, it may be because you don’t like to give!  If you don’t like to hear sermons on personal work, it may be because you don’t like to call on people concerning their souls.  If you don’t like lessons on prayer, maybe you need to examine your prayer life.  If you feel unwelcome and strange when you attend services, it may be due to your irregularity and lack of friends.  

            Jesus said that to know Jesus and God is to know eternal life. To know and love Jesus is to keep His words (John 14:23). John also said, “This is love for God to keep his commands and His commands are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3).  I urge you to begin reading the Bible every day and listen to others who speak concerning God’s words and commandments to obey them.  It is wrong to ignore the Word of God and it is wrong to teach anything that contradicts its message.  Follow the Word!  It is life eternal!

                       Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 153                

          Jesus said the words He uttered while here would judge us in the last day (John 12:48).  How can we say we are ready for judgment when we do not know His will?  We can know His will only when we know His Word, the Bible.  Yet it is so easy to neglect the study of the Bible.  It is easy to find some excuse for not attending Bible classes and worship.  We promise ourselves that we intend to get started someday, and the promise of doing right in the future gives our minds some ease.  However we never get around to it.  Are all these promises going to help us when we stand before the Lord to be judged by the Word we have neglected?  Not at all, for merely promising and not doing avails nothing.  We must not only begin to study the Word of God but we also must begin to do His will.  A promise, if not kept is only a forfeit of good intentions.  It may give us temporary relief, but if not kept, it only increases the burden which we thought was erased. If you don’t like to hear about giving, it may be because you don’t like to give!  If you don’t like to hear sermons on personal work, it may be because you don’t like to call on people concerning their souls.  If you don’t like lessons on prayer, maybe you need to examine your prayer life.  If you feel unwelcome and strange when you attend services, it may be due to your irregularity and lack of friends.  

            Jesus said that to know Jesus and God is to know eternal life. To know and love Jesus is to keep His words (John 14:23). John also said, “This is love for God to keep his commands and His commands are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3).  I urge you to begin reading the Bible every day and listen to others who speak concerning God’s words and commandments to obey them.  It is wrong to ignore the Word of God and it is wrong to teach anything that contradicts its message.  Follow the Word!  It is life eternal!

                       Gordon Musick