Author: Warren Berkley

Conversion of the Corinthians

(1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Warren E. Berkley

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6:11

This is one of the strongest statements showing evidence of conversion in the New Testament. People in Corinth had been living far away from God. Fornication, adultery and homosexuality was widely practiced, even promoted. They had participated in idolatry, stealing, drunkenness and extortion (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

The apostle Paul came to a people living in these sins, and he “determined not to know anything among [them] except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” His purpose was not to impress them with his superior style of speech. He wasn’t interested in gaining a following for himself against any competitors. He simply wanted them to know about Christ, His person and work; His death, burial and resurrection; His exaltation to the right hand of God. Paul knew their problem was sin, and He came to Corinth to announce the only remedy and tell them what they needed to do to apply the remedy. The results of this preaching? Many of the Corinthians “hearing, believed and were baptized,” (Acts 18:8). And in baptism, they were added to the church, the only body (1 Cor. 12:13).

In this passage the conversion of the Corinthians is described: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6:11

This verse is dramatic testimony to the Grace of God. Nothing in the behavior of man puts God in debt to save us. He would be perfectly right to ignore those who ignore Him. But there is this exceeding measure of mercy, born of love, in the heart of God. It is His desire to save us though we have acted against His goodwill. The case of the Corinthians shows that by grace sinners can be saved, “..so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” (Rom. 5:21).

We should never give up on people who practice these sins. Evangelism is often discouraged by one’s initial subjective reaction to sin. We do not hold in high favor those who engage in fornication or homosexuality, because we believe those behaviors are destructive to the participants, harmful to the innocent and offensive to God. We must not, however, allow these negative emotions to silence evangelism. We must not withhold saving truth, out of prejudice against the sinner. It is understood that we abhor what is evil, but we cannot use that as grounds to ignore the lost. Paul knew how they were living. He abhorred their sin. But his response was to tell them how to be saved from their sin. That’s an example worthy of our imitation.

Let us look back on how we once lived. Perhaps we cannot identify with the specific sins named in 1 Cor. 6:9,10. But there are sins we know we were engaged in prior to our obedience to the gospel. In our sin, we were offending God. We did not know the way of peace, and there was no fear of God before our eyes (Rom. 3:17,18). “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life,” (Titus 3:3-7).

Only in response to the gospel of Christ, can sinners be washed, sanctified and justified. When you engage in the instructed response (“hearing, believed and were baptized,” Acts 18:8), you personally receive the forgiveness Christ died for you to have, and you are put in position to live your days faithfully in Christ, laboring for the final rest God promises in Him.

“They Shall Be One Flesh,” Gen. 2;24

Warren E. Berkley

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

(Genesis 2:24, KJV).

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

(Genesis 2:24, NIV).

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

(Genesis 2:24, NRSV).

***

“THEREFORE..,” takes us back to what had just happened in this context. God saw it was not good for man to be alone so He made a suitable helper. The record says that: “…the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.” On this occasion Adam said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.” When these creation events took place, God said: “THEREFORE,” or “for this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” [NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES: Matt. 19: 5 & Eph. 5:31].

“…A MAN…” The statement in Genesis 2:24 was meant for every human being. Adam had no father and mother; thus it is implied, this is meant for all in the human race; everybody with a father and mother. God was setting up an institution for the human race.

“…LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER…” It is noteworthy, there is a “cleaving” in this statement, but before the “cleaving,” there is “leaving.” This is about leaving your family of origin and making your own family. As vital and permanent as the child-parent relationship is, a proper husband-wife relationship warrants leaving the earlier relationship.

“…AND SHALL CLEAVE UNTO HIS WIFE…” This is about marriage as God intends it, and this involves leaving and cleaving. Sometimes the English word “cleave” means to divide or split (a butcher uses a cleaver to cut meat). But in Genesis 2:24, the opposite is meant: to adhere, to stick, to be attached by strong tie. It is a verb, and it involves determined action to stay with somebody, out of deep love and commitment; IT IS NOT JUST EMOTIONAL; IT IS NOT PASSIVE; it is the attitude and activity of staying close to someone. It is adherence rooted in a shared will or intent. The same word is used in Deut. 10:20 (NASB) and other passages in that context, to signify wholehearted commitment (Deut. 11:22; 13:4; 30:20). Marriage requires maintenance!

“…ONE FLESH…” TO BE ONE FLESH is the result of leaving and cleaving; and this is much more than just a physical union (though included). This is about giving and receiving; joining and responding. This is emotional; this is intellectual; this is about love and care and attention. And – only as we leave and cleave and develop closeness in all these other ways – CAN THERE BE THE KIND OF PHYSICAL UNION THAT’S RIGHT, IDEAL AND NOURISHING. This union should last as long as we live. The Bible teaches: One man and one woman for life with only one exception (Matt. 19:9).

When marriage is dealt with in Matthew 19  by Jesus, and Ephesians 5 by Paul, both refer back to God’s institution of this union at creation. Here is something that has never changed: The law that binds a man and woman together in this relationship is the law of God, expressed in the statement: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

Today’s Neglect – Tomorrow’s Emergency

Warren E. Berkley

What we neglect to teach today, we will have to teach tomorrow.

God’s people are to be “fellow-workers for the truth,” (3 Jno. 8). That calls for the commitment of the individual to the truth God has revealed in His word. It means in our work together in the local church, that truth must be our standard. And the home needs to be a place where parents lead children to believe and obey the truth.

In the absence of faithfully preaching and obeying the truth, what can happen? The Bible identifies the possible consequences:

• “Tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…,” Eph. 4:14
• Being deceived “with persuasive words,” and cheated “through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men,” Col. 2:4,8
• Concerning “the faith,” suffering “shipwreck,” 1 Tim. 1:19
• Departing “from the faith,” 1 Tim. 4:1
• Turning “aside to fables,” 2 Tim. 4:4

It is our solemn undertaking – as the people of God – to give up no truth for any man; to speak the truth in love and teach the truth to the next generation.

Are we doing that? Are we faithfully engaged in the good work illustrated by Lois and Eunice (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14,16)? Are we teaching others “who will be able to teach others also?” (2 Tim. 2:2).

Here’s one way to focus our thoughts on this: What we neglect to teach today, we will have to teach tomorrow!

Someone will teach our children about divorce. Who will it be? Will they learn about divorce from their friends at school or the worldly portrayal of marriage and remarriage on television? Or will they hear it first from you, as you tell them: “…whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery,” (Matt. 19:9). What we neglect to teach today, we will have to teach tomorrow!

What do your children know about the Holy Spirit? Do they know who the Holy Spirit is and how He works through the Word (Eph. 6:17). Are we teaching the next generation about the gifts of the Spirit, in their temporary role of bringing to pass the New Testament volume? Do the young people where you worship understand that the modern charismatic claims have no biblical foundation? What we neglect to teach today, we will have to teach tomorrow!

Have we just stopped teaching about the work of the local church? Are we raising a generation without showing them what the New Testament says about the advancing denominational approach, unity-in-diversity, the sponsoring church, the social gospel, etc. Do our grandchildren understand that the things we learn in the New Testament constitute a pattern, and that we must do these things for the “God of peace to be with” us (Phil. 4:9). What we neglect to teach today, we will have to teach tomorrow!

^“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,” (Deut. 4:9).

John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 3:19-24 

Confidence Before God

¹⁹ By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; ²⁰ for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; ²² and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. ²³ And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. ²⁴ Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. – 1 Jno. 4:19-24

There is one phrase in this passage that identifies what each of us want: Confidence before God. We want to know we are right, even if there are times when we condemn ourselves. We want to overcome that negative self-evaluation by serious attention to what we do, what we know, and of course, the redeeming sacrifice of Christ.

John speaks to this, and part of what he says is: KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. Our confidence before God is directly associated with our obedience before God. If we abide in Him, the promise is, He abides in us.

This confidence is enhanced by answered prayer: Whatever we ask, we receive from Him.

There is solid knowledge we can have of our good relationship with God. Confidence before God as connected to our obedience before God, enhanced by answered prayer.

Excuses based on doubt are banished. Abide in Him. He will abide in you.

Written by Bro. A. Hugh Clark:

Men

One of the greatest needs is men! Men who are bigger than trifles; men with the breadth of intellect and depth of character; men who will not stoop to cheat or be unfair; men who will not stand imperiously on their rights, but who in magnanimity of soul cast away personal advantage for the good of many; men who will not lie, and defame, and steal to increase their own personal fame or fortune; men who would rather stand with the right in the end than to have their own way; men who love the truth and are willing to die for it rather than to compromise with falsehood; men who act upon principle in all their dealings with their fellow men rather than personal feelings whether of bias or prejudice; men with clean hearts and pure motives; men who feel neither envy nor jealousy when one of superior endowments and greater ability surpasses what they have been able to achieve; men who are not too big to be satisfied to fill the place in the world for which they were created and fitted by the benign creator who made every man for a definite place in His infinite universe of time and space and sense. –

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FEARLESS PARENTING, Click Here

From Christianity Magazine via Logos Dec. 1999

Practicing Christianity at Home Every Day

L.A.  Stauffer

Other than the individual, the oldest, smallest, closest, and most basic unity of society is the family. Families, therefore, form the building blocks of a community, a nation, a civilization. As families go, so go the city, the country, the world. That our country at the opening of the twenty-first century is in trouble few would deny. The reason? God has not only been left out of the schools and much of public life, but, practically speaking, out of our homes also.

When love, respect, morality, godliness, spirituality, duty, fairness—the bonding elements of the family—are not taught and enforced daily in the home, how can they exist in society? No nation can long survive the lack of these fundamentals in family life. Their absence in our country signals the need for the introduction of Christianity as the foundation of both family life and society.

Christianity by Biblical definition can never be viewed as occasional acts of righteousness, whether in personal life or in the home. The term Christianity in its real sense describes people—not merely by acts and deeds but by who and what they are. Yes, Christians “practice” good works, but these activities emanate from character that is developed by the regenerating power of God’s Spirit through the gospel (see Titus 3:4; John 3:5; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Peter 1:22, 23; Romans 6:4). The fruit of the new birth manifests itself daily in private life, the business world, social relationships—and within households.

Christianity, according to God’s design, makes its way into the home through husbands and fathers who take charge of their families and rule them well (see 1 Timothy 3:4, 5). When a man, as leader of the family, loves the Lord his God with his whole heart, he on behalf of his household chooses whom he and his family will serve (see Joshua 24:15; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16).

A worthy man, full of love and devotion to God, gives himself sacrificially as a husband to his wife and cares for her, nourishing and cherishing her as an honorable vessel: a godly example of commitment that impacts both the wife and children (see Ephesians 5:25–29; 1 Peter 3:7).

When a mother responds to heavenly, God-like love from her husband and the father of her children with affection, respect, and admiration, children grow up in the warm atmosphere of kindness, gentleness, humility, and longsuffering—the qualities of love that Paul says endures (see Titus 2:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 13:4–7). What children see daily in their fathers and mothers and by that parental influence seek to emulate is the love of God and Christ: an unconditional care and offering of themselves to members of the family and to fellow citizens.

Fathers, with the support of mothers, not only choose, as did Joshua, to serve God but also to devote themselves to the training of their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (see Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). The children likewise experience, as an expression of parental love, firmness and discipline that refuses to spare the rod of correction: chastisement of the body that conditions the mind and soul for reverence and holiness (see Proverbs 13:24; Hebrews 12:4–11).

The effectiveness of love and training depends largely on the spiritual maturity and example of parents who themselves walk where their Lord walked (see 1 Peter 2:21). Like Abraham of old, fathers and mothers command their children and households “after” them, demonstrating Christianity by their own faithfulness to the Lord and their insistence that the children walk in their footsteps (see Genesis 18:19). Religious conviction, spiritual devotion, and moral uprightness set a course of conduct that unalterably and unmistakably give God-directed guidance to the family.

Beyond examples of righteousness, fathers and mothers assure that the supper table, the coffee table, the rocking chair, and the bedside are the gathering and nurturing places for the children. Family life must not predominantly be lived before a TV, behind a joy stick, or at a soccer field. At the supper table, times of conversation and intimacy bind the family together, around the coffee table, Biblical instruction and prayer draw the family in reverence and godliness to the Lord, and in the rocking chair or at the bedside, hugs and kisses build wholesome regard and self-worth in the souls of developing children.

Out of all this comes a generation of Timothys: unique men and women who serve the Lord Jesus Christ in his kingdom, seek not their own things, care for others, and are a credit to the God who created them in His own image. Children reach this spiritual level because as babes they learned the sacred scriptures and in childhood they saw unfeigned love and faith in their families—daily (see 1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 1:5; Philippians 2:19–22).

A daily regimen of God-centered and Biblically oriented life is not a new-fangled theory of home life to wage war against a corrupt and deteriorating society; it is an ancient method given to Moses who instructed God’s chosen people: “And these words which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7).

Stauffer, L. A. (1999). Practicing Christianity at Home Every Day. (B. Lewis, Ed.)Christianity Magazine, 16(12), 15.

“…Solid food is for the mature…”

Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV)

¹¹ About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

In this second section of Hebrews chapter five, the writer is frustrated. He wants his readers to understand the significance of Christ being High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. The problem is, his readers have not sufficiently grown in their knowledge to take this in.

To point this out, the writer uses intense language, saying they are “dull of hearing.” “By this time,” the writer says, “you ought to be teachers.” They needed a tutor to train them in the fundamentals again. They were not ready for strong meat. It was their fault for not advancing and growing.

For Christians today, this is a call to pursue knowledge and growth. to be skilled in righteous and discerning between good and evil.

This reminds us of all the other passages that pertain to growth, like 2 Pet. 3:18. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

My audio podcasts on the gospel of John – Click Here.

Justification by Faith

Warren E. Berkley

What do you think when you hear the phrase, “justification by faith?” Some may associate this with the doctrine of salvation by faith only. This is one of the underlying tenets of modern denominational creeds. The essence of it is the assertion that faith in your heart (before and apart from any action) is the single condition of salvation. It is commonly taught by modern evangelists: “Just believe in Christ.”

It is a curious matter that those who so teach almost always urge people to repent. In their creeds they write “faith only,” but in their practical instruction they add repentance. If you are counting, that’s two conditions not one.

Also, they omit baptism. The apostle Peter told sinners to believe, repent and be baptized (see Acts 2:36-40). He preached Christ to sinners and gave them these instructions about responding: believe, repent and be baptized. Then what? Continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2;42).

Regardless of what modern preachers say, add or omit – this is what the apostles taught, and this can be described as justification by faith. This is developed in clear detail in the book of Romans, especially in chapters three, four and five. One way to think of it is – hear, believe and obey! This is what Abraham did (though he had sinned). This is what we must do (though we have sinned). Salvation is offered, based on who Jesus is and what He did. Salvation is personally received when you hear the gospel, believe in Christ and obey Him (initially and thereafter). This is the New Testament doctrine of justification by faith.

It is the means by which we can have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1).

Hope

Warren E. Berkley

One of the noblest, greatest and most comforting blessings for the Christian is hope. And it is everywhere in the Word of God, especially in the New Testament.

Peter tells us about hope and he presents this blessing in the setting of the historical truth of the gospel – “the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This is a case where your conviction about history is the basis of your confidence about your future (see also Heb. 11:1). The apostle Peter wrote in 1 Pet. 1:3,4  –  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead … to an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” If I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and my life is a response to all that truth represents – I enjoy this living hope. I am able to look forward to an eternal inheritance, of such enduring nature – it is “incorruptible, undefiled” and “does not fade away.”

Paul tells us about hope in Rom. 8:18-25. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For we were saved in this hope, but that hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” In “this present world” we suffer. It is the objective reality of our existence on the earth: we suffer. The suffering may take the form of persecution, financial struggle, disappointment with people we love, health problems, the stress of unexpected turmoil, or some other hardship; but we suffer in this “present time.” Paul wants Christians to know, whatever pain we suffer now – there will be unsurpassed glory for God’s people in the future. This assurance of future glory becomes our motivation, our comfort, our pleasure and perseverance.

John tells us about hope in 1 Jno. 3:2,3. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And, everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” Notice, side by side in this verse – what we cannot know and what we can know. We cannot know what “has not yet been revealed.” In the absence of revelation from God – there cannot be knowledge; so there are matters of curiosity we may have about our future state in heaven that cannot be known now in detail. But “we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him.” This promise should be sufficient! Intellectual curiosity may provoke demands for detailed information about the spiritual body we shall have in heaven. There may be a variety of questions we would like to discuss, but such matters have “not been revealed.” What does it matter, when we can “know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him?” This hope we have motivates purity in life, as “He is pure.”

The writer of Hebrews tells us of this hope in Heb. 6:19. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.” In this verse hope functions in at least two ways. (1) It provides us with surety and steadfastness as we navigate the stormy waters of life on earth; we have hope as “an anchor of the soul.” (2) This hope moves us toward access to Deity; as expressed in Jewish terms, entering “the Presence behind the veil.”

In these places, and in many other places in the Scriptures there is this concept, this blessing of hope for the child of God. Everybody needs hope, and everybody can have it, through the gospel of Christ.

We need hope. When we are tired, sick, weary, disappointed, depressed, offended or persecuted – we need hope. The time to acquire and nurture this hope is now! Hope is available by an obedient faith in Christ. One of the noblest, greatest and most comforting blessings for the Christian is hope.

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AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, Click Here

FEARLESS PARENTING, Click Here

Conversation With An Atheist

{I mentioned in a previous post about my conversation with Madelyn Murray O’Hare. I sparked some curiosity. Here’s the story.}

In December of 1977 I had a telephone conversation with the late Madelyn Murray O’Hare, the infamous atheist. This was on a call-in radio program and she was the guest.

On the air I asked her: “Can you give us just one sound argument that proves that there is no God?”

Her reply: “You see, sir, if you knew anything at all about logic, you would know that a negative case never needs to be argued. Whoever poses a theory … has the burden of proof of that theory. We don’t have to prove a negative at all. Those persons who made up the idea of God must show that there is a God … All we have to do is show you the flaws in the arguments … We don’t have to prove a negative…,” {Direct quote from the tape of the program, on KFH radio, Wichita, Ks., Dec. 6, 1977.}

But consider this: Her case, as an atheist, is not just a negative case; she affirmed something – she affirmed that there is no God. To her, that was objective reality.

Furthermore, I do know something about logic. There is the law of rationality: “we ought to justify our conclusions by adequate evidence.” So – we need to think about this and bring this up when confronted … that atheists affirm something, but they are reluctant to offer any proof. There is no proof that there is no God. All the available evidence or proof lies on the other side of the proposition. “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God,” (Heb. 3:4).

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Two Recent Sermons (MP4 format, slides with audio)

AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, Click Here

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