Betrayal

I cannot begin to imagine what the deepest levels of betrayal feel like. Jesus was betrayed by Judas at the cost of his life. Yet, while Judas planned this thing for evil, it had been decreed by God the Father since the foundation of the world.

I recently learned that someone I sincerely care about has been deeply betrayed. And while I cannot even fathom the wound it has caused, nor the pain felt, I pray that the Lord God will strengthen them. Honestly, I don't even know if they will read this. But if you do, you know who you are - and I am praying for you during this assault.

The level of betrayal I discovered reminds me so much of what Paul suffered in prison. Even his close friends and disciples abandoned him there. But what really hurt him was Alexander the coppersmith.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. (II Timothy 4:14-16)

Alexander made it his mission in life to utterly destroy Paul's work. He resisted the Apostle with great words and mighty evil deeds. His destructive bent was so terrible that Paul even warned Timothy to beware this evil man, lest he should fall victim to his treacherous attacks as well.

But what really struck me like a bat to my head was that Paul stood alone in his defense. All men forsook him. There was not a single man, even of those whom God has lavished such a magnificent grace, who had the courage to stand against this great evil man, Alexander.

Friend, you do not stand alone. There are many who support you and pray for you. You may have been betrayed at the deepest level, but you are not alone as Paul was. I pray that this will be your first great encouragement.

Secondly, Paul asserts that the Lord stood with him. Even in the absence of any righteous aid, Jesus stood to strengthen the apostle. How powerfully does this echo that great promise we have from our Lord, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (II Timothy 4:17)

Christ is our deliverer. He will prevail in our defense. And from the deceit and lies or our enemies we will be delivered. Even when it appears to be a roaring lion seeking his next meal.

And thirdly, yet very powerfully, the apostle Paul commits justice to God (vv. 14 & 16). Paul is very specific in praying for God to repay Alexander according to his works. Give to this man what he deserves. Yet, he is also hopeful that God would not hold the righteous to fault for abandoning Paul in his greatest time of need.

You see, Paul did not feel that he needed to uphold God's justice. Justice is reserved for God alone. And while we feel at times we should pick up the sword to cut our enemy down we have the gentle reminder of our God, "for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matthew 26:52).

My friend, you have been betrayed. This Alexander has caused you great harm. He has lifted a great sword against you. But you do not stand alone. You are surrounded by an army of brothers and sisters in Christ who love you and the work you do. You are in God's keep. Jesus stands with you. He will prevail.

As for me, I will join with you in prayer that God will repay this "Alexander" according to his works. He has brought the sword, so he shall perish by it as well.

With the greatest love and respect due my brother in Christ,

Jay Silvas

The Israel of God

Paul's closing in his epistle to the Galatians has been a debate which has caused a lot of controversy throughout the years. However, there is no doubt that it was most controversial to it's original audience. Consider the following:

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:15-16)

Paul was not confused when he wrote this. He knew exactly what he was saying. He is making an open declaration that those who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ are indeed the true Israel of God. And in this statement the rejection of national Israel is implied. But why should he make such a statement anyway?

Well, if you recall, Paul has already made several similar arguments which all lead up to this thesis. He has already demonstrated that neither circumcision, nor law, nor genealogy are qualifications to secure the true chosen, adopted children of God. Lets review each of these quickly to gain a better understanding.

1. First, he reproves the need to be circumcised. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant God made with man. In the Jewish tradition, all true children of God [males] must be circumcised to demonstrate their fidelity. This is very similar to the western tradition of a man and woman wearing wedding rings when they are married. Circumcision was required by God's law. To not be circumcised was an abomination in the Jewish religion.

2. Then he finds fault with the efficacy of God's law. He demonstrates that the law was never powerful enough to save anyone. If it was then there surely would have been a law to provide for it. Therefore, Paul tells us the law is our school master always pointing us to the Savior who would come: Jesus Christ.

3. Thirdly, he demonstrates error with those who claim to be the descendants of Abraham. God promised that Abraham's descendants would inherit the blessings of the covenant, but Paul conditions that with faith in Jesus Christ. He argues and proves that those who believe in Jesus by faith are the true descendants of Abraham to whom the promises were spoken.

Circumcision, God's law, and genealogy were all signs of the true Israel. For Paul to reprove them was considered a national assault on the Jewish heritage and faith. But Paul is not assaulting or discounting them. He is demonstrating over and over that in Christ each of these things are fulfilled. Therefore, all that Israel is looking to in circumcision, God's law, and genealogy are now fulfilled and found in Christ alone.

Paul is telling us there are two Israels: One who trusts in circumcision, God's law, and genealogy; and one who trusts in Jesus Christ. One is physical, one is spiritual. One is the type, and one is the anti-type. One is rejected, and one is accepted.

Salvation in Jesus Christ is not a matter of what we do or don't do. It's not a checklist to follow or a carte blanche for a new life. Salvation in Jesus Christ a gift given by God to men based purely on the person and work of Jesus Christ and applied to us by grace through faith according to the mercies of God alone.

To you who are the called, chosen, Israel of God: May his peace and mercy be upon you all the days of your life and, "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." (Galatians 6:18)

With the greatest respect, honor, and love for the holy children of Jesus Christ,

Jay Silvas

Boasting Only in Jesus Christ

We are, by nature, proud people.

We love to talk about ourselves. We love to make our accomplishments known. We want everyone else to know about who we are and what we are doing. Just turn to your favorite social media outlet Q.E.D.

And likewise, the Galatian heretics loved to boast in themselves as well. They would boast and brag about all the converts who followed them and believed their teachings. Paul points this out to us in the following verses:

"As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh." (Galatians 6:12-13)

These heretics did not really care for the people. They only wanted the pride and public applause for having many disciples. But consider Jesus: He never wanted men to follow him simply for the sake of following (cf. John 6:65-66, Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand). He desired true believers: Those whom the Father had granted to come to Jesus.

Paul knew the corruption of those false teachers who were leading the Galatians believers astray and he countered it with this:

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (v. 14)

He would not boast in anything he had done. He had no credit to his own name, but all credit should be given to Jesus Christ. For he is the one who saved us solely by his person and work. Therefore, this teaching that we should be circumcised is a vain and pointless pursuit. It leads to nothing spiritually profitable and it is not pleasing to God.

In fact, he said that they who desire to mutilate you don't even follow the teachings they impose on you! So why should we carry on our body the mark of circumcision? There is no reason too. And Paul had a more convincing argument about following Jesus. He said, if it's marks you are interested in, then just take a look at all the marks I carry for Jesus:

"for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." (v. 17)

He was speaking of the scars he had received from being beaten when he went preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Those, he says, are marks worth bearing, but still not necessary.

So what should we boast in if not Jesus Christ? He is the one who has payed in full the debt of our sin. Without him we have nothing; indeed, we are nothing. I pray that you would not boast in your self today but give all honor and praise and glory to the risen Savior, Jesus. I included a link to a song to help you reflect on him.

In Christ,

Jay

Reaping What You Sow

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

Our actions have consequences. If you over eat, you will become fat. If you spend more than you make, you will be in debt. If you are a drunkard, your liver will be permanently damaged.

This is one of the final thoughts Paul leaves us with as he is closing the letter to the Galatians. He continues to remind us that we can sow in the flesh or we can sow in the Spirit. 

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (v. 8)

And for many, the instant return for what we sow seems to negate the consequences of our actions later on down the road. For example, I used to smoke cigarettes. I knew cigarettes were terrible for my health and I knew of several studies that empirically proved 'cigarettes cause lung cancer'. But in the moment of deciding should I smoke or not smoke the fear of lung cancer and degraded health was swept away by the exhilarating high I felt now by smoking.

The same can be said about drinking. We know it is a destructive habit yet we participate in it anyway ignoring the future consequences of our actions: I may not come home to my wife and children tonight; I may become a violent alcoholic; I may become physically addicted and destroy my body. 

But this is not an message about the dangers of smoking and drinking. This can be applied to anything: Eating, sleeping, working, gambling, studying, shopping, and the list goes on.

We will reap tomorrow what we sow today. To be more inline with the context Paul is speaking of, he intends for us to treat each other with great love, respect, honor, and good works. To do these things is to walk in the Spirit as we are filled with the Spirit. Then, in the future, we will reap the Spiritual fruit of our good works today.

But if we fight against each other, hating even our brothers and sisters in Christ, treating them with great indignity, and sowing evil works... then we must know - God is not mocked. We will reap of the same things we sow.

So what then? How should we live? Well, the Scripture is given to us for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Here is what it teaches us:

"9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10)

The labor of good works through faith in Jesus Christ is a perpetual work. We are instructed to never cease from them nor to find them too weary. But sometimes we can live in the impression that our works are meaningless. Many pastors and Bible teachers struggle with this when do not see change in the lives of those they teach. But it is not limited to clergy. You may find that you don't want to love your neighbor. Maybe they just annoy you too much that you would rather not serve them in good works. We are taught to not faint in our labor, "for in due season we shall reap".

We are also taught to take advantage of every opportunity to serve others with good works. However, how often we ignore those poor and homeless beggars on the subway and on the streets. How often we justify in our hearts and minds that we are not responsible for their plight. How often we tell our selves that they are simply faking. But we are not justified. We are to use every opportunity given unto us to serve others with good works. So the next time you have money in your pocket, wallet, purse, sock, or shoe... help the poor beggar. Don't think about it, just do it. God has given you to them for an opportunity to serve. Of course, this extends well beyond just beggars, so always be mindful of how you can serve.

And thirdly, we are taught to serve those who are of Jesus Christ even more honorably. It's not that we should save our best works for our brothers and sisters in Christ, but rather we should never ever NOT serve them with good works. To bring division and evil into the house of God is an egregious sin! Jesus even taught us that the world would know that we are his by the love that we show to one another (John 13:35).

What will you do today?

Bearing One Another

I was in an interview once in which I was asked this question, "How do you handle interpersonal conflict?" Perhaps you have been asked the same question?

My response to this was, "I believe I must pour on each relationship a measure of grace. For some it may be more and for some it may be less." The idea is that people are different and likewise struggle with different things. I cannot experience your suffering all the time, but I can respect it. I can come along side others, understand their suffering, and share their emotional pain. This is empathy.

But what about faults? What if a person moves past simple suffering and into something greater? What if a person falls into a sin that I disprove of? What then?

Should I then be disproving, rejecting their acquaintance, or contemning them? I don't think so. Even in this, we need to pour on each other a measure of grace that is sufficient to bear one another and restore each other to the hope we have in the Gospel.

Paul gives us some very wise instruction in the latter portion of Galatians. He writes, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). We have already learned that the law of Christ is to walk in the law of love. In love we are to lift up, edify, and restore each other when we both suffer and struggle with sin. But we are to do so in a spirit of meekness (Galatians 6:1).

It's very easy to look down on others who suffer from and struggle with things that we do not. We may look on somebody's failed pregnancy as just punishment for some wickedness in their life; or a teenager's rebellious spirit as the wicked fruit of bad parenting. Even still, when we catch somebody caught up in a sin that we find deplorable we may be quick to judge them and cast them out of our fellowship with scornful contempt. But is this what the Scripture is teaching us?

"For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (Galatians 6:3)

"Looking down our nose" is an American idiom that means to think one is better than someone else. If we stick our nose high in the air and look down on everybody else then we fool ourselves. The Scriptures have reproved all to be in sin, and by necessity, we all need the saving blood of Jesus equally. Who am I to look down my nose on you when you suffer or struggle? I should be reminded that I am no better off; for I too am just as susceptible to your current plight.

So in the spirit of meekness, fulfill the law of Christ. We need to encourage each other in the hope of Christ. We need to always remind each other of our daily need of the gospel of grace. This includes those who teach you God's word. Your pastor needs to be encouraged in the truth of the gospel (v. 6). No man is exempt from suffering and certainly no one person can withstand sin but Jesus.

Praying for you all,

Jay Silvas

Called to Walk in the Spirit

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Galatians 5:16-17)

Paul has been building up to this point throughout his entire letter to the Galatians. Here, in the latter part of chapter five, we see the works of the flesh juxtaposed with the fruit of the Spirit. There is absolutely no denying that a grand tension exists between the Spirit and that flesh. In fact, Paul goes as far to say that the flesh is so contrary to the Spirit that it even incapacitates us to do the good we know we ought to do and even want to do (v. 17).

For example, I want to love people. I really do. I want to care about other people's needs, desires, dreams, and circumstances, but the truth is, my flesh simply doesn't care and won't allow me to either. My flesh tells me to care about myself: Me alone, at the expense of all others! No matter how much I desire to love others, I am simply incapable of doing so. This is my life in the flesh.

However, God has saved me and conquered my flesh through his Spirit. He has caused his Spirit to dwell in me daily to guide me into this love that I desire to have for others. Through God's Spirit alone I can truly love you, love others, and even love my enemies.

God's Spirit is transforming me daily to be more and more like his Son Jesus. Through the power of the Spirit of God I can obey the law of love; I can walk in faith which worketh by love! But without him... Oh, without the Spirit I am hopelessly lost!

If I am left to walk in the lust of my flesh then I am a dreadfully wicked sinner. I seek only what I want, only whats best for me. But by the grace of God alone, I can now walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the selfishness that I once held dear is now dead within me.

But what Paul really wants us to notice is that we can do no good thing in and of ourselves. All of our works are tainted with the lust of the flesh. All transformation, all good works, all obedience are works and products of the Spirit of God alone. They are not from us.

We cannot become more spiritually loving people through morality. I can not simply slap on a new exterior of good works, happiness, and joy and expect the interior to be changed. That would be as preposterous as laying new coats of paint on a termite infested, condemned house. It may look good on the outside, but the inside is rotting away.

Instead of this, we are taught that God through his Spirit heals us internally. He fixes what is broken within us. Then goodness, mercy, love, and obedience flow from within us and out to our hands, down to our feet, out through our lips, and into our mind.

The biblical analogy is that in the flesh we are as rotting corpses who can do nothing but sour the air with our rotting stench. But in the Spirit we are brought to life. God breathes life into our lifeless, dead bodies and it heals us. Our flesh which was once dead and good for nothing is now made fully alive and restored, not to live as if we were dead, but to fulfill the law of faith which worketh by love!

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24)

Through the Spirit our wickedness is put to death and our righteousness is made alive. Is there some grand struggle in your life that only God's Spirit can conquer?

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25)

Love,

Jay

Called to Walk in the Law of Love

We have not been called into lawlessness. We are called to fulfill the law of love.

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13)

Paul has made a very clear and pointed thesis up to this point: In Jesus Christ, we are completely free from the law (v. 13a). He has spent five chapters of this six chapter epistle teaching us this very thing. There is nothing left for us "to do", nothing left "undone", and nothing to "complete" to make us acceptable to God. We have been radically purchased from the claims of sin, death, and hell by the decree of the Father, blood of the Son, and efficacy of the Spirit. In our sin God loved us; In our sin God saved us; In our sin we will continue to be saved. Our salvation is based purely on God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. We indeed have a great liberty given unto us!

Now, some have concluded that Paul's extreme emphasis of grace means that we can live anyway we want. Some have even concluded that it's better to live a life of exceeding sin as a Christian because God is glorified more and more by pouring on us more and more grace. But this is not Paul's conclusion: "Use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh" (v. 13b).

We are not to be brazen sinners, unashamedly flaunting our freedom as if we have no self-control. Rather, our lives are to be ordered by the law of love, serving each other (v. 13c). This quite literally means to put aside selfishness and esteem each other better than our own selves.

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (v. 14)

You see, we have never been free to live in love, serving one another. We have always been enslaved to the law of sin in our flesh. No matter how much good we wanted to do in our previous life, it was always tainted with wickedness. But now we are free! We are free at last to truly love! And love is demonstrated most powerfully by self-less service and sacrifice.

God is saving us, not to be free agents of wickedness, but to be transformed into a new creature; changed into what he originally intended us to be. He is saving us and freeing us to be agents of mercy, stewards of grace, and ministers of love. In reality, we are not free, but bound to the eternal law of love in Christ Jesus.

"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:18)

So now, being free to love each other, let us do so more and more in this life. It's easy to become blind to the law of love. The Scripture reminds us constantly of it. But if we ignore this truth and follow lawlessness we will be consumed in wickedness, sold under the law of the flesh. 

"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." (Galatians 5:15)

Do not use your freedom in Christ as an excuse to sin without restraint, but be brazenly bold in your service of love!

With love for you all,

Jay Silvas