2024 ISSUE TWO
In this issue 3
A Month for Love charles r. swindoll
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How to Waste Your Time This Year charles r. swindoll
Character Sketch 8 Moses: Leader and Prophet insight for living canada About the Bible 10 Bible Basics: Inspiration and Inerrancy steve johnson Searching the Scriptures Study 14 The Integrity of Enduring Obedience
Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 40 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright © 2024 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Byeongtaek So. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
Why would Peter tell believers who loved each other to love each other? Because to one kind of love, we should add another.
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A Month for Love by C h arle s R . Sw i ndol l
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t is February. Overcast, chilly, bleak-andbarren February. If you’re not skiing on the slopes, skating on the ice, or singing in the freezing rain, there’s not a lot outside to excite you. No wonder bears hibernate this time of year—there’s not even Monday Night Football! But wait. There is something special about February. Valentine’s Day. Hearts and flowers. Sweetheart banquets. A fresh and needed reminder that there is still a heart-shaped vacuum in the human breast that only the three most wonderful words in the English language can fill. “We love Him,” John reminds us, “because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NKJV). In fact, at the Last Supper, in that upper room in Jerusalem, Jesus, “having loved his own who were in the world, He loved them to the end” (John 13:1). In other words, He loved them “to the maximum— He sought their highest good.” That’s amazing, isn’t it? Do you remember what follows? In that torch-lit room, Jesus reclined at the table with His disciples who didn’t wash before supper (wash their feet, that is). Noticing that, without announcement, Jesus got up, put a towel around His waist, drew water, and began to wash the disciples’ feet. Guess what they had been talking about just before they heard the splashing of the water? Which one of us will be the greatest in the kingdom? How’s that for men who had spent the last three-and-a-half years walking beside the Saviour who led them faithfully and loved them to the maximum? With strong words from their competitive spirits barely out of their mouths, they saw Jesus draw water, kneel down, and take on the menial task of a servant. “Do you know what I’ve done to you?” Jesus asked them. Silence. “I have left you an example. As I have washed your feet, you ought also to
wash one another’s feet” (instead of wrangling over who’s the greatest). Then came the shot across the bow, “A new commandment I give you” (John 13:34). A new command, Jesus? They all knew the old command: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV). After all, who wouldn’t love God? God is good, God is fair, God is just, God is merciful, God is forgiving, God is grace, God is perfect— God is love. But Jesus gave them a new command: “just as I have loved you, love one another” (John 13:34). How had Jesus loved them? John said it best when he later restated Jesus’ command: “let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18 NASB1995). Ready for a practical suggestion? Tell your spouse and children, “I love you.” Don’t just say, “Hey, love ya!” Say, “I love you.” There’s a difference. If you don’t have a spouse or kids, call up a close friend and say those three powerful words with sincerity. Better yet, tell them while looking them square in the eyes. For example, men, when you put your arms around another man you love and admire, tell him, “I love you.” He can take it. In fact, he will never forget it. You’ll be amazed at the effect these three simple words will have. But just saying the words isn’t the assignment, remember? Jesus didn’t merely tell His disciples He loved them. He grabbed a towel and showed them “in deed and truth.” And then the next day...He died for them. The Apostle Peter wrote it this way, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). Why would Peter tell believers who loved each
other to love each other? Because to one kind of love, we should add another. The first “love” comes from a Greek term that speaks of a pleasant feeling toward someone. It’s the word, philadelphia. We know Philadelphia as the “city of brotherly love,” and that’s precisely what the original term meant. It speaks of a friendly affection. It’s the potluck-lunch love. It’s the talk-to-your-neighbour-over-the-fence love. It’s the puppy love of the first date. It’s a love based entirely on feeling pleasure from being around someone. And it’s perfectly fine. But by itself, it’s like standing on one leg. It won’t last long. A love with only feelings can quickly turn into selfishness and conditional love when pleasure goes south. It’s fickle. In fact, I would say the vast majority of relationships—both Christian and non-Christian—centre on this kind of love, which is why people claim to “fall in and out of love.” Feelings change. They were never intended to be the basis of deep, lasting relationships. So Peter writes that we should add to philadelphia another kind of love: agapo. This love finds its roots not in how we feel toward someone but on the genuine value of someone. While philadelphia begins and ends with your feelings, agapo begins and ends with your will. (Read that again.) It’s translated: “fervently love one another.” Simply said, God commands us to go beyond feeling love for one another to showing love for one another.
With this love, no difficulty will pull us apart. No test will push us under. No calamity will steal our commitment. No disaster will bring an end to our family. Love doesn’t stop because there’s a financial crisis. Sacrificial, self less love is the glue that holds lives together. It keeps us forgiving each other’s failures and tolerant of each one another’s foibles. It makes us stay when we feel like walking away. This kind of love goes beyond a dozen red roses. It means more than simple sentiments on a Hallmark card. For some of us, it may mean changing our schedules. Or putting that hobby on the shelf for a few years. Or changing jobs. Or at the very least, changing attitudes. I love you.... There are no more powerful words. But when love goes beyond our feelings to our wills, love becomes supernatural. It becomes like the love of God in Christ—who showed us the full extent of His love. God commands us to go beyond feeling love for one another to showing love for one another.
Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, “A Month for Love,” in The Finishing Touch: Becoming God’s Masterpiece (Dallas: Word, 1994), 58–59. Copyright © 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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How to Waste Your Time This Year by C h arle s R . Sw i ndol l
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ith the dawning of a new year comes a deluge of resolutions, reminders, and exhortations. They all follow similar how-to themes—how to increase your efficiency, how to make every moment count, how to invest your time wisely and productively. Well, just for some tongue-in-cheek fun, I’d like to take the opposite tack. I’m going to tell you how to waste your time this year. That’s right, if you follow this advice, you will make absolutely no progress this year. Guaranteed! First, worry a lot. Start worrying earlier in the morning and intensify your anxiety energy as the day passes. Short on a supply of things to worry about? Check the newspaper, television, or Internet. You’ll have enough bad news, doomsday reports, human tragedies, and late-
breaking calamities to keep your heart and mind churning all through the night. Something I have found helpful in my own worry world is to do a lot of reflecting on my failures and mistakes. If you’re a parent, think long and hard about what you should or could have done for your children. That will give guilt the green light it’s been waiting for. To add a touch of variety, you might also call to mind some things you should not have done. Regret fuels worry in many creative ways. Do you need a few other categories to camp on? The things you don’t like about your marriage or your job. The possibility of a leaky roof, car trouble, and aging. Hanging around negative people is another secret you won’t want to forget this new year. If you plan all this right, you’ll be
loaded with a full pack of worries long before hulks ought to help you men...and those gorFebruary comes. Start now! Those potential geous models they plaster on the covers of Vogue will do nicely for you women. The next ulcers need fresh acid. Second, make hard-and-fast predictions. Why few months will be a humdinger so long as not? A whole new year is in front of you. Your you keep your gaze on the horizontal. A quick date book is empty and ready to fill with detailed tip—have the Valium ready. Fifth, lengthen your list of enemies. Playing the plans. Of course, you’ll need to ignore that little Blame Game will keep your wheels spinning throwaway line in the fourth chapter of James, during the year more than Come now, you who any other activity. Your say, “Today or tomorrow THERE YOU HAVE IT, skill at this game should we will go to such and FIVE PROVEN TIMEimprove with age because such a city, and spend WASTERS. PUT THESE the longer you live the a year there and engage SUGGESTIONS INTO more ammunition you in business and make MOTION, AND YOUR have. With a full arsenal a profit.” Yet you do not NEW YEAR COULD SET of suspicion, paranoia, know what your life will RECORDS IN WASTING and resentment, you can be like tomorrow. (4:13– waste endless evenings 14, emphasis added, VALUABLE TIME. rehearsing your feelings NASB1995) Forget this verse, and chisel your expecta- of hate as you stew over those folks who have tions in stone, convinced that things will turn made your life miserable. There you have it, five proven time-wasters. out just like you plan. Third, fix your attention on getting rich. With Put these suggestions into motion, and your new this mindset, you’ll fit right in with most of the year could set records in wasting valuable time. But on the other hand, who wants to do that? hype that’s pouring out of entrepreneurial seminars and upbeat sales meetings. Make certain No one aims to run in circles—it just happens. to get your ideas about money from the secular So, let’s get serious. Beware of the time-wasters! bookshelves, and definitely don’t pay attention Instead, pray more than worry. Be flexible. Give more. Be content with the way God made you. to men like Solomon, who wrote: And let the oil of forgiveness loosen your grip on Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, those grudges. In other words, make this year Cease from your consideration of it. your most productive ever. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. (Proverbs 23:4–5) I mean, what does Solomon know about Adapted from Charles R .Swindoll, The Finishing money and contentment and consequences? Touch: Becoming God’s Masterpiece, (Dallas, Fourth, compare yourself with others. Here’s Tex.: Word, 1994), 14–15. Copyright © 1994 by another surefire time-waster. Not only will Charles R .Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. you ricochet between the extremes of arrogance and discouragement, you will spend another year not knowing who you are. If external beauty happens to be your thing, comparing yourself to the latest Hollywood
Moses: Leader and Prophet
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he Old Testament character of Moses is known by character traits such as “leader,” “prophet,” “dedicated,” and “meek.” Even though this is how he is remembered, it’s not where Moses began! Name
In Exodus 2:10 we read, “Pharaoh’s daughter... named him Moses, for she explained, “I lifted him out of the water.’” In Hebrew the name Moses sounds like the word that means “to lift out.” Outstanding Characteristics
Dedication and meekness. Summary
When the Pharaoh of Egypt decreed the death of all Hebrew boys, Moses was placed
by his mother in a basket in the Nile River. Pharaoh’s daughter found him and raised him in the palace. At the age of 40 Moses saw a Hebrew slave being beaten by an Egyptian and so Moses killed him. To escape Pharaoh, Moses fled to Midian. When he was 80 years old, God called him from a burning bush to lead Israel out of Egypt. Feeling inadequate Moses reluctantly obeyed. But God was with Moses in a miraculous way enabling him to bring plagues on Egypt and then lead the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan for 40 years. Moses received God’s Law for His people, selected the judges, and built the tabernacle. Disallowed from entering the Promised Land
Article Photo: John Everett Millais, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
by In sight for L iv ing Canada
ing for someone with ears to hear His voice, hands ready to do His work, and a heart that believes His Word and is willing to respond. Key Scripture “It was by faith that Moses, when he grew 4. Partnership in leading One cannot effectively do ministry alone. up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression Moses needed Aaron. It’s also necessary to delof God’s people instead of enjoying the egate responsibilities to other leaders (Exodus f leeting pleasures of sin. He thought it 18:13–26). Learn the difference between what was better to suffer for the sake of Christ is essential for you to do and what is incidental. than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he Doing less often results in greater effectiveness. was looking ahead to his great reward.” 5. Self-control Moses lost his temper numerous times (Hebrews 11:24–26) (Exodus 2:11, 12; 11:8; 32:15-20; Numbers Lessons Learned 20:1–12) and because he didn’t control it, 1. Persistence Our past failures sometimes hold us back. anger ultimately caused him to forfeit his entrance into the promThey make us feel that we OUR PAST FAILURES ised land. Although have no power. But it does SOMETIMES HOLD US God is gracious and not need to be like this. forbearing, He is also They need not stop us from BACK. THEY MAKE US just in causing Moses doing great things for God. FEEL THAT WE HAVE NO Through them we can learn POWER. BUT IT DOES NOT to ultimately suffer the consequences of his to have a servant’s heart NEED TO BE LIKE THIS. sin. “Human anger does that rests and relies on God instead of promoting ourselves and our agenda. not produce the righteousness God desires” God prefers to use those who have failed (James 1:20). Are there character or behavioural issues in your life you need to get under (Exodus 2:16–17). control before you lose out because of them? 2. Confidence in Christ Moses suffered from an inferiority complex. 6. Dedication Focusing on Christ and His reward for a life He believed he couldn’t do or say anything. But when he surrendered who he was and of faith is essential to dealing with adversity, what he had to the Lord, then by faith it opposition, and rejection (Hebrews 11:24became true for him as it was the Apostle Paul 26). The pleasures of sin and the problems who said, “For I can do everything through of this world will pass away. Heaven and its Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians rewards are forever. Moses, a leader and profit who was meek 4:13). The simple shepherd’s staff of Moses became “the staff of God” (Exodus 4:20). and dedicated to the Lord, teaches us through Who are you and what’s in your hand that you his life story that where you start is not where you end up, with God’s help, and failure is can surrender to God? never final. 3. Meekness and availability God may call someone who feels disqualified and inadequate in order to accomplish a task (Exodus 3, 4). He isn’t as interested in our ability as in our availability. God is lookfor losing his temper Moses died in sight of Canaan on Mount Nebo.
Bible Basics: Inspiration and Inerrancy by Steve Johnson
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y special revelation God communicated “Make them holy by your truth; teach them in the Bible the truth we must know to your word, which is truth” (John 17:17). And be in right relationship to Him. Inspiration the psalmist wrote, “The very essence of your is about the preservation of that revelation words is truth” (Psalm 119:160a). Inspiration and is the guarantee of the inerrancy of God’s extends to the very words the authors selected but is only attributed to the original manuspecial revelation to us. The biblical concept of inspiration is based scripts, not to the copies or the translations on 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired based on those copies. “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our 3:16). The term “Scripture” is used exclusively lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and in the New Testament of the sacred writings, teaches us to do what is right.” In addition, of some portion of the Bible, sometimes the 2 Peter 1:20–21 says, “Above all, you must whole Old Testament (Matthew 22:29; John realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever 10:35), and sometimes of a specific passage came from the prophet’s own understanding, (Luke 4:21; John 13:18). All parts of the Bible or from human initiative. No, those proph- are equally inspired. Thus, the Bible is fully ets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they inspired in all its parts. We use the word plenary to describe this aspect of inspiration. spoke from God.” In addition, “Scripture” is even used The word translated “inspired” in 2 Timothy 3:16 literally means “God-breathed” and of a specific New Testament passage and expresses the concept of exhalation by God. sometimes to a larger portion of the New The Scriptures are the product of God having Testament. In 1 Timothy 5:18, in support of paying elders for their work, Paul quoted breathed them out. God guided the human authors to vary- Deuteronomy 25:4, but the words of Christ ing degrees so that His Spirit guaranteed the recorded in Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:7 are accuracy of what was written. At the same also connected with Paul’s statement, “For the time the authors were actively involved using Scripture says.” This is probably the earliest their own personalities, backgrounds, and instance of our Lord’s words being quoted as styles. Saying it is accurate and without error Scripture. While this support for a workman expresses what the Bible itself claims—that is also found in other Old Testament passages it is God’s Word and it is truth. Jesus said, like Leviticus 19:13, the wording clearly is
that of Christ recorded in Luke 10:7. Then in one might expect of an unlearned fisherman; 2 Peter 3:16, Peter specifically refers to Paul’s Luke was written with a more sophisticated vocabulary of an educated person; Paul’s epistles writings as Scripture. An important aspect of inspiration we need reflect the logic of a philosopher. All of these to understand is inerrancy. The word iner- variations are entirely compatible with inerrancy. Inerrancy allows for variety in details rancy means “freedom from error or untruths.” in explaining the same Clarifying the definition of inerrancy has become THE WORD TRANSLATED event. This is particularly necessary because many “INSPIRED” IN 2 TIMOTHY observed in the gospels. It is important to rememhave, in very subtle 3:16 LITERALLY MEANS ber that Jesus spoke in ways, retained words “GOD-BREATHED” Aramaic and the writers like inspiration, infalAND EXPRESSES of Scripture wrote their lible, and even inerrant THE CONCEPT OF accounts in Greek, meanin speaking about the EXHALATION BY GOD. ing they had to translate Bible while denying it’s the original words into free from error. THE SCRIPTURES Greek. One writer would In view of this, when ARE THE PRODUCT use slightly different words defining inerrancy, it is OF GOD HAVING to describe the same incialways important to state BREATHED THEM OUT. dent, yet both would give clearly what it means and what it does not mean. It does not demand the same meaning, albeit with different words. There is an additional reason for variety rigidity of style and verbatim quotations from the Old Testament. The inerrancy of the Bible in details. One writer might have viewed the means simply that the Bible tells the truth. event from one standpoint while the other Truth can and does include approximations, gospel writer viewed it from another standfree quotations, language of appearances, and point. This would make the details appear different accounts of the same event as long as different, yet both would be accurate. Inerrancy does not demand verbatim reporting of those do not contradict. It is important to bear in mind that belief events. In times of antiquity, it was not the in inerrancy is in keeping with the character practice to give a verbatim repetition every of God. If God is true, and He is (Romans time something was written out. A verbatim quote could not be demanded 3:4), and if God breathed out the Scripture, for several reasons. First, as already menthen the Scripture, being the product of God, tioned, the writer had to translate from must also be true. This is why the Psalmist Aramaic to Greek in recording Jesus’ words. affirms, “The very essence of your words is Second, in making reference to Old Testament truth” (Psalm 119:160a). texts it would have been impossible to unroll A number of different issues invariably the lengthy scrolls each time to produce a come up when considering the doctrine of verbatim quote. Furthermore, the scrolls were inerrancy. What about the variety of styles, or not readily available, hence, the freedom in the varying ways certain events are described, Old Testament quotes. or the different reports of events? How does Inerrancy allows for departure from this mesh with the concept of inerrancy? standard forms of grammar. Obviously, it is Inerrancy allows for variety in style. The wrong to force English rules of grammar upon gospel of John was written in the simple style
the Scriptures. For example, in John 10:9 Jesus declares, “I am the gate,” whereas in verse 11 He states, “I am the good shepherd.” In English this is considered mixing metaphors, but this is not a problem to Greek grammar or Hebrew language. In Matthew 8:5–13, it is noted that the centurion came to Jesus and said, “I am not worthy.” In the parallel passage in Luke 7:1–10, it is noted that the elders came and said concerning the centurion, “If anyone deserves your help, he does.” It appears the elders first came and spoke to Jesus, and later the centurion himself came. Both accounts are in accord with things as they are. Inerrancy allows for problem passages. Even with so vast a work as the Bible it is impossible to provide solutions to all the apparent problems. In some cases, the solution awaits
archeological findings. In another case it awaits the linguist’s research. In other cases the solution may never be discovered for other reasons. However, the answer is never to suggest there are contradictions or errors in Scripture. If the Scriptures are the product of inspiration, then they are entirely free from error. Inerrancy demands the account does not teach error or contradiction. In the statements of Scripture, whatever is written is in accord with things as they are. Details may vary but it may still reflect things as they are.
Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
THE INTEGRITY OF ENDURING OBEDIENCE insight for living ministries
The following mini-study is intended to familiarize you with Pastor Chuck’s method of Bible study and provide an opportunity to study the passage yourself.
This series is about the importance of being people of integrity at every turn, without compromise, without duplicity, and without hypocrisy. —Pastor Charles R. Swindoll
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EOPLE of integrity refuse to waver in their principles, regardless the temptation. They follow God’s way even though no one else goes with them. Even though everyone else opposes them they endure with faithful obedience. Noah was such a man. He lived in a world of universal evil. Yet, he and his family stood out as the only people on earth who walked with God. Let’s get to know this ordinary hero who saved civilization by exhibiting a single quality available to us all...the integrity of enduring obedience. Prepare Your Heart Pause now to ask God to use His Word and Spirit to reveal His presence to you in lonely times. Pray for wisdom, strength, and faith. Turn to the Scriptures Read Genesis 6:1–22 in the Old Testament. Observation: Noah, the Only Blameless Man on Earth O: Describe the extent of human wickedness and the grief God felt in Genesis 6:5–6. O: What contrast do you see in Genesis 6:7–8, and what makes this contrast so significant? O: What further contrasts between Noah and sinful humanity do you observe in Genesis 6:9–12? O: What steps did God tell Noah to take to save created life and continue the human race, according to Genesis 6:13–21?
O: What character qualities did Noah exhibit in 6:22? O: What was at stake if Noah didn’t follow God’s instructions precisely and not give up? Faithfully and consistently, decade after decade, Noah did everything exactly as God commanded. He was meticulous in following God’s instructions, and he finished the task. —Pastor Chuck Swindoll Interpretation: Understanding Two Biblical Concepts In the interpretation phase, we look for the meaning the biblical author intended to communicate to their audience. Here, two key words encapsulate that meaning: favour and covenant. Everyone in Noah’s day rested content to act godlessly—casting aside God’s ways, shunning God’s presence, and sinking deeper and deeper into sin. Everyone eventually found only God’s judgment. But Noah “found favor with the Lord” (6:8). The word for “favour” also means, “grace.” I: As an expression of His grace, God established a “covenant” with Noah (Genesis 6:18). When God makes a covenant of grace with an individual, He does so unconditionally, and He often includes a sign to guarantee His pledge. What
“pledge” did God make Noah, according to Genesis 6:17–19 and what did Noah have to do in response? Correlation: Noah, a Preacher of Righteousness C: Peter called Noah “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5 NASB). According to 2 Peter 2:5, what message do you think Noah preached for decades through his behaviour while he was building the ark? C: Like Noah, Jesus also warned about a future storm of judgment. What message did Jesus preach, according to Matthew 24:37–39? C: According to Ephesians 2:4–10, what is the means of grace that will deliver us from this coming judgment? C: Noah declared a similar kind of message to his world that we share with sinners in our world—except, the “ark” that saves us is not made of wood, but our Saviour’s flesh and blood. In your journal, summarize the message of hope we have to offer in Christ. Application: Long-Term Obedience Today Noah was one of a kind! No one in history walked to the beat of a different drummer more than Noah did. Think how ridiculous he must have seemed to his neighbours as he built his boat at a time when it had never rained before (Genesis 2:4–6). The ark was massive—longer than a football field, 75 feet wide, and about four stories high. No one had seen anything like it! Yet, despite how outrageous the project, Noah obeyed God. He believed God would keep His word. So Noah acted in obedient faith for decades without a drop of rain. A: What do you think kept Noah from giving up during the years of boat-building? From his example, what can help you stay faithful in your situation?
A: What can you do today to rest in God’s grace and covenant with you through Christ until He comes again? A Final Prayer Father, help me to faithfully declare the way of salvation through the door of Jesus Christ. Give me obedient faith to follow Your plan for my life and guide me in Your way. Thank You for opening Your grace to me and giving me the assurance of salvation. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Go to insightforliving.ca/integrity to download the full-length Searching the Scripture Study and listen to Pastor Chuck’s message.
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