Muster Mustard

 Jesus *informed his disciples that they could not cast out a demon because they were faithless and unbelieving. He goes on to say that if they have faith of a mustard seed, they can move a mountain.

Since he said they were faithless and unbelieving, then the contrast must be between having no faith or faith. But what is “mustard seed” faith? Is it just a super tiny amount?

And how does one get such mustard seed faith? Can one just muster it up by strength of the will?

**Elsewhere, Jesus accused Peter of having “little faith” and doubt. Is little faith less than mustard seed faith? After saying Peter had little faith, he asked him why he doubted? Is little faith equal to doubt and less than mustard seed faith?

^*19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" ²⁰ So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:19-20

**³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:31

It could be that mustard seed faith speaks of the fact of faith, as opposed to doubt or unbelief. It's not how much faith one can muster up, but it is faith, nevertheless, in contrast to doubt or unbelief. As far as the ability to muster up faith at all, it does help if one wants to believe or is willing to be honest and humble enough to be objective, that is, to be persuaded by the facts or evidence.

Peter believed he could walk on water when Jesus gave him the command to come to him. Peter saw Jesus walking on water, and so it was probably that fact and that he knew the miracles that Jesus did, and so, if Jesus gave the command to come to him, he was able to take those steps into the water. But the ***fierceness the weather distracted him and caused him to doubt that he could continue what was humanly impossible .

***²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." ²⁹ So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:28-30

So Peter started out in faith, but then began to sink when he became afraid, and Jesus attributed this with doubt.

But what did Jesus mean by “little faith?” Is it less than mustard seed faith? Is little faith with more doubt than mustard seed faith? I think speaking of degrees of faith and degrees of doubt can get confusing.

The Greek word translated “little faith” is oligopistos. The Greek word “oligos” can mean “little” as in size, but it can also mean “short” as in duration. The Greek word “pistis” means “faith.” Could it be that Jesus was saying that Peter began well, because he did walk on the water, but it was short-lived? Peter had short-lived faith, for shortly after he began, he was frightened and doubted and began to sink.

Peter didn't have to muster up faith, though he was willing to believe he could walk on water: He only needed the command of Christ to be persuaded it could be done, but the threatening circumstance of the weather distracted him and caused fear and doubt, and so his faith was short lived, and he doubted and began to sink.

It is about how much faith one has, but whether they are persuaded. It helps to want to believe. And for a time, Peter did believe.

The book of James says that God will give wisdom to those who believe and have no doubt: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 This supports the view that faith does not include doubt. This faith must take God at His word, that God will keep His word. Of course, one must understand what this particular wisdom is about—that God will provide. It doesn't mean you will be on the level of of Solomon in earthly wisdom, but it must be understood in light of the context of trials and temptation.

Mustard seed faith must be about what is the object of your faith and not percentages. It's like the man who believed Jesus could heal without coming to his house. Jesus said that he had “great faith”: ¹⁰ “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Matthew 8:10 The man understood who Jesus was and what he could do. Unlike others who would need Jesus to come to where they needed a miracle, this man understood and was convinced that Jesus work the miracle from anywhere. This man understood the authority of Christ and was without doubt. He did not have to muster up faith he already had. The object of his faith made his faith “great,” though a mustard seed faith would have worked.    4/4/25

Overarching theme

 

Overarching theme (of Scripture)       “a people for His name”

I recently read an article (by Corey Marsh) in “Bibliotheca Sacra” (The Dallas Theological Seminary Journal) that sought to demonstrate a “doxological-historical” model for biblical theology as opposed to the more popular “redemptive-historical” model. The doxological model focuses on the theme of God's glory as progressing though canonical (inspired Scripture) history. The redemptive model views the history of redemption as the overarching framework of Scripture.

The article says, “God is glorious, so he created. He created so he could redeem. He redeemed so he could re-create. He recreated so he is glorified in all creation. Viewing Scripture as primarily doxological rather than redemptive safeguards God's place as sovereign who receives glory, providing a vital link connection creation to redemption to recreation.”

The article says it is the assumption of modern evangelical scholarship that views “humanity's redemption as the ultimate paradigm through which to understand all other biblical themes.”

The article says, “While both glory and redemption are related, even complimentary, concepts, they are distinct categories in Scripture. In simple terms, one is bigger than the other. The glory of God, as progressing throughout the canon and manifested throughout history, subsumes humanity's history of redemption. The bible, therefore, conveys a history of God revealing himself rather than a history of humanity.”

Could there be an alternative view as to the overarching theme of Scripture that incorporates both views, being the intent of God to have a people for His name? This view would include both the redemptive and the doxological ideas, because throughout time and in eternity, God will have a people to manifest his holiness and salvation, for His glory.

I have come to a modified form of dispensationalism that is based on the people of God for His purposes (his elect and servants) in (temporal) time, to show forth His holiness and salvation. And in the final state (the new creation), it will be a people for His name (His glory) among whom God will dwell. Following is a dispensational chart showing the dispensations according to this view. I will include Scripture that speaks of God having a people for His name.

And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:24

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? Job 1:8

If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, Numbers 12:6-8

For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6

Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. Acts 15:14

Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Zechariah 8:23

In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance. Isaiah 19:24-25

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3

Perfect Man

 I believe that Ephesians 4:11-16 (see below) reveals the purpose as to why Christians should assemble together. This purpose is something a christian cannot accomplish apart from assembling with other believers. Unless one has health issues or an obligation that keeps them from assembling for this purpose, he/ she may be out of the will of God.

The text speaks of the roles in the Church in accomplishing the “perfect man,” which is not about being perfect but whole/ complete and mature in the faith.

There are some roles that God has put in place to help others to accomplish this “perfect man.” But all believers have roles to fulfill, and those roles are the “work of the ministry.”

It's not about sinless perfection but being whole or complete as an assembly of believers. It is about maturity in the faith and doctrine. It's true that not everything done in the assembly accomplishes this, but it is the Divine aim.

Are you working against the Divine aim or for this Divine aim? Are you fulfilling any role in the assembly to accomplish this Divine aim?

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16

Don't be a destroyer of the “temple of God” which is the body of Christ.

^“17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:17

3/17/2025

Christ is king! (?)

 You may be hearing the statement lately that "Christ is king!"

It would be better to say, "Jesus is the Christ!" 

"Christ" is just the English transliteration of the Greek word for the Hebrew word (transliterated as "messiah") for "anointed one" which was usually a king.  "Christ" is not a name for "Jesus."   So, it's like saying "king is the king."  It's a little redundant.

But are some saying it as a political statement or to create division or to be unnecessarily offensive? 

Are they purposely using that statement at this present time to cause division among those who hold similar conservative social views who are not Christians, such as certain Jews?

What's their intent here? 

Every Christian should know that Jesus is the Christ. It should not be a political statement with an ulterior motive to alienate certain social conservative Jews.

3/17/2025

Sabbath commandment

“We keep all of the 10 commandments but the Sabbath, why is that?”

This was a question I was asked by Bob. Bob had given in to a particular Jewish Christian group that believed we should observe the Sabbath day, besides other views like only the writings of Moses were inspired Scripture.

I gave 2 reasons why we do not recognize the Sabbath day like we do the other 9 commandments.

One reason is because the 10 commandments are part of the whole Mosaic Law, and the Mosaic Law was for Israel as a nation, not the Church, which is not a nation, but exists as assemblies of believers within nations. And only those laws of the Mosaic law that are moral and not social or ceremonial are universal—the moral laws are contained in the Mosaic Law along with the uniquely ceremonial and social laws for Israel. The Sabbath is more of a ceremonial law, unlike the other laws within the 10 commandments.

The other reason is because the Sabbath is never made an issue in the moral requirements of the New Testament. Surely, if the Gentile believers had to be exhorted to not lie and steal and covet, etc., they would need to be exhorted to keep the Sabbath holy. Nowhere does any of the New Testament authors exhort anyone to keep the Sabbath. Would not Gentiles have failed in this practice as they did with everything else? Especially since they were not Jews and did not practice it before conversion. There were several kinds of Sabbath rests for the Jews, but the Church did not replace Israel, and they are not a nation among nations like Israel was. The Church is not under the laws of Moses like Israel was. The Church is only to fulfill the moral requirements that are universal and timeless, moral laws that are included in the law of Moses. But the Law of Moses included social and ceremonial laws that do not apply to the Church.

Some will suggest that the Sabbath was fulfilled in Christ, but I'm not sure if that is a sufficient argument, since it appears that the Sabbath will be observed in the Millennial Kingdom.  Though the Apostle Paul did say to the Colossians,  So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,  which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Colossians 2:16-17   Paul also said, One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.  Romans 14:5-6   

The Sabbath will be again observed by Israel in the Millennium: For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me, says the LORD, So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the LORD. Isaiah 66:22-23 The difference will be that Israel will be a nation again, and they will be under laws that govern them as a People and Nation. And they will be a People who have believed in Christ who saved them, both individually and nationally. But they will be a theocracy again in the land promised to Abraham. 

 Revised 4/2/2025

Casted Angels

 The angels that Satan threw down

³ And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. ⁴ His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Revelation 12:3-4

It's often believed that Satan took a third of the angels with him based on this text. The stars being angels became Satan's angels. We read later that Satan and his angels fought with Michael and his angels, and Satan is defeated and cast to earth with his angels. The casting to earth is the same word used in 12:4 for “threw.” “⁷ And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, ⁸ but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. ⁹ So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9

In Daniel 8, we read of the little horn: “And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. ¹¹ He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. ¹² Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. ¹³ Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, "How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?" Daniel 8:10-13

Could the 1/3 angels cast to the earth be a future event? Could the 1/3 angels be non-rebellious angels that Satan cast down in conflict? How did the little horn cast down some of the “stars?”

2/17/2025

Ishmael

 

Muslim asking me about Ishmael:

Sir, you still haven't answered my question! Did God promise to bless Ishmael yes or no? Did God say He has blessed Ishmael yes or no? Where is Ishmael's great nation? Or do you not care if God kept that promise or not? I didn't ask about Issac, and Jacob's seed. Where is that great nation of Ishmael's seed?

My response to Muslim:

There is obviously no nation of people today called “Ishmael” or “Ishmaelites.” 

The promise to Ishmael was that God would multiply him (Gen 17:20), and he would have 12 princes/ chiefs and a great nation. We see this fulfilled later in Genesis 25:17-18 where it says Ishmael's descendants “settled from Havilah to Shur which runs next to Egypt all the way to Asshur.” This is in the Arabian Peninsula, probably north western part. So God kept his word. There is no promise that Ishmael would continue as some identifiable people/ nation forever. 

Many nations of people rise and fall, and the people of which they consist are assimilated by another nation of people. 

So the descendants of Ishmael today probably exist genetically in some of the Arab people. But there is no Ishmaelite nation of people remaining today, and such was not promised to endure forever—it was already fulfilled centuries ago. 

And always remember that it is in the "seed" of Isaac that all nations will be "blessed." That "seed" being one, being "Christ." 

In Christ all nations will be blessed. Anyone else is a thief and a robber and antiChrist. Those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world are justified as was Abraham, and they become sons of Abraham and heirs of God.  

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⁷ Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. ⁸ And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." ⁹ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Galatians 3:7-9

¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. ¹⁷ And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Galatians 3:16-18

it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. ²³ But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, ²⁴ which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— ²⁵ for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— ²⁶ but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. ...
²⁸ Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. ²⁹ But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. ³⁰ Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." ³¹ So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. Galatians 4:22-31

² Then the LORD appeared to [Isaac] ... ³ Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. ⁴ And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; Genesis 26:2-4