Mike Leake

From the very beginning God was marching toward our redemption. When the first couple sinned, they placed themselves on a path of enmity. It was a path of enmity with one another (we see it in their blaming each other), a path of enmity with God as well as with creation, and even their own bodies. But in Genesis 3:15 there is a clue that a Redeemer is coming.

The popular drummer, Dave Grohl, once referred to guilt as a cancer. “Guilt will confine you, torture you, destroy you as an artist. It’s a black wall. It’s a thief.” The actor Jude Law compared guilt to regret as something that is “no good” and that has to be “snipped out.” Angelina Jolie perhaps sums up the contemporary view of guilt the best when she says: 

“I don’t believe in guilt; I believe in living on impulse as long as you never intentionally hurt another person. And don’t judge people in your life. I think you should live completely free.”

To many, guilt is a negative emotion. It’s a false feeling that is imposed upon us by the strict rules and judgment woven into our society. Therefore, we must fight these negative feelings. The way, according to the world, to rid ourselves of guilt is to either deny it or find some way to make amends to assuage those feelings. 

Does the Bible share this view of guilt? Is guilt a real thing or a false feeling? And how does the Bible speak of our rescue from guilt?

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Fashion designer Coco Chanel once remarked, “gentleness doesn’t get work done unless you happen to be a hen laying eggs.”

Sadly, this dismissal of gentleness is not reserved for the world. In our increasingly polarized society, Christians are also succumbing to the idea that what we really need is brute strength to get things done. Far from dismissing gentleness, the Scriptures speak of gentleness as the way the kingdom of God "gets things done."

But what is gentleness? And does it accomplish things?

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I do not believe that a simple reading of Scripture would lead one to believe that there is an extended time of purifying that a believer must endure upon their death. On the whole the Scriptures seem to proclaim that to depart is to be with the Lord Jesus.

The story of the Canaanites is a difficult one to reckon with. We do well to let the Bible speak for itself and even allow our questions at times to remain unanswered. God is rescuing people from every tribe. He is ending all sin and unbelief (even in our own hearts) and he is ultimately doing it through the self-sacrifice of His Son.

The truth is, it’s a good thing when someone is appalled by hypocrisy. Because Jesus is also appalled by that. Rather than defending ourselves, it’s a better idea to use it as an opportunity to point to Jesus.

“Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” -Yoda

“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” -Confucius

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” -Gandalf

Wisdom. When I think of wisdom I tend to think of the long grey beard of Gandalf, or the quiet demeanor of Yoda, or the pithy statements of Confucius. But is this what the Bible means by wisdom?

The dictionary definition is “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.” Certainly Yoda, Confucius, and Gandalf would fit within that definition. But the Bible defines wisdom a bit differently. In Scripture, wisdom is directly related to living in accordance with how God has ordered the world.

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For the Aaronic priesthood, the ephod was given elaborate detail. This attention to detail and its costly production is an indication that this was one of the most important items among the priestly garments. It was also attached to the breastplate which contained the Urim and Thummim. This made the ephod part of seeking divine counsel.

I remember when I finished reading the Bible for the first time. I was happy with the accomplishment but also sad that there were no more books. It did not take long for me to realize that God’s Word is inexhaustible. Some 20 years later and many more times through the Bible, I realize that I’ll never “finish reading” God’s Word.

Yet after that first read through I was indeed disappointed that I’d read the whole story – that is until I picked up my friend’s Bible. She was from a Catholic background and as I thumbed through her Bible, I realized that there were seven books that I’d never read before. Were these Scripture too? Was my Bible missing books?

On occasion that question will press upon believers. In the early 2000’s, with the release of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, this question became prominent again. This time the concern was over a different set of books that some thought were taken out of the Bible.

So, do we have the complete Bible? Are there books that are missing? 

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What do the religious leaders say to someone like Matthew? They tell him to repent. Change your life. Quit your job. Stop being such a lying, thieving, cheat. And then maybe God will have something to do with you. Start studying the Torah (start reading your Bible) and get your life cleaned up and then you won’t be such a bum.

 But then Matthew met Jesus…