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The wonder of God may be defined as: “Inquisitive awe in the pursuit of the understanding of all of the perfections of the majesty of God.”  Wonder is something that causes astonishment or admiration.  To wonder is to marvel.  Wonder is rapt attention or astonishment at something or someone awesomely mysterious (Merriam-Webster.com).   There is no doubt that God is such a wonder.
The cosmic wonder of God is the wonder of the universe created by God.  God created the heavens, the earth, and the seas  and everything in them in six days (Exodus 20:11).  This feat was accomplished by the word of God (Ps. 36:8-9, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the word stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast”).  This is divine commentary on the Genesis account of creation in Gen. 1 where the Bible affirms that God spoke the universe into existence (Gen. 1:3,6,9,11,14, 20, 24, 26).  The universe is the result of the. miraculous power of Almighty God, His genius, and His beauty.
The Power of God
God is omnipotent or all-powerful.  He created by divine fiat.  He brought into being that which did not exist before.  “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb. 11:3).  Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”  Isa. 44:24, “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.”  Mt. 19:26, “But Jesus behold them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”  These words of truth give us the answer to the origins of all things.
The Genius of God
The genius of God is demonstrated in the design of the universe.  The sun, moon, and stars along with the solar system and the many galaxies in the universe declare the glory of God.  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night. unto night sheweth knowledge.  There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heart.  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.  His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof” (Ps. 19:1-6).  There is design in the human body.  “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:14-16).  “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:26-27).  These words of truth give us the answer to the origin of human beings.
The Beauty of God
God saw His creation and pronounced it very good (Gen. 1:31).  The creation fulfills its creative purpose.  It functions as God designed it.  All created species were actualizing the function for which they were made, in relation to the totality of being:  the consequence was, of course, harmony, order, and peace.  Man was the lord tenant of the universe.  The heavens and the earth were designed as a suitable habitat for him–a vale of soul-making.  In the beginning, God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  The Garden of Eden was a paradise.  The absence of moral evil in the beginning of man’s existence is also an aspect of beauty.  The human heart was virtuous or morally excellent.  The beauty of God is clearly seen in this wonder of creation where His goodness is manifested in every detail.   Yes, the creation was very good!
Each detail of the universe declares something about God.  It declares His power, His genius, and His beauty.   This is the cosmic wonder of God.  All of the details of the design are now left for us to explore and through this exploration, to discover the true nature of God.  The greatest quest of the human heart is to know God.  The wonder of God is the inquisitive awe in the pursuit of all of the perfections of the majesty of God.  Will you join the quest?
(The following pictures of the Solar Eclipse were taken April 8, 2024 by Branyon May).

The Kinsmen produced a song titled, Excuses, Excuses, You Hear Them Everyday!  The lyrics of this song include the following:
“Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day.
And the Devil he’ll supply them, if the church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.”

Then, the song lyrics include a multitude of excuses commonly used by people to avoid religion. Here is an example.
“Well, the preacher he’s too young. And, maybe he’s too old.
The sermons they’re not hard enough. And, maybe they’re too bold.
His voice is much too quiet-like. Sometimes he gets too loud.
He needs to have more dignity. Or, else he’s way too proud.
Well, the sermons they’re too long. And, maybe they’re too short.
He ought to preach the word with dignity instead of “stomp and snort.”
Well, the preacher we’ve got must be “the world’s most stuck up man.”
Well, one of the lady’s told me the other day, “Well, he didn’t even shake my hand.”

In over fifty years of preaching, I have heard many excuses just like these!
Twice in the book of Romans, Paul uses the Greek word anapologētos which is translated, “without excuse” in Romans 1:20 and “inexcusable” in Romans 2:1.
First, rejecting God is inexcusable.  “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”   Paul affirms that the creation declares the power and glory of God.  The created universe is visible to all people.  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard” (Ps. 19:1-3).  When the truth that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him is suppressed, the consequences are disastrous.  Paul mentions: ignorance (Rom. 1:18); ingratitude (Rom. 1:21); idolatry (Rom. 1:23); immorality (Rom. 1:24-32); and impenitence (Rom. 2:4-6).  Individuals who will not turn to the Lord and obey Him will have to face the indignation and wrath of God (Rom. 2:6-11).  They have no one to blame but themselves because they are “without excuse.”
Second, attempting to supplant God in the matter of final judgment is inexcusable (Rom. 2:1).  The Jews judged the Gentiles with regard to moral law, but the Jews practiced the same immoral acts (Rom. 2:21-23) condemned in the law.  They attempted to judge others from a hypocritical state.  Paul states that this is inexcusable because they knew the law and did not obey it.  Another thought on judging others relates to the final judgment of God.  Only God can judge a person’s final standing before Him.  God will render to every man according to his works (Rom. 2:6).  Only God knows everything a person has thought, said, or done.  Only God knows the secrets of the hearts of men.  God is no respecter of persons and His judgment will be according to righteous judgment.  Failure to fear God is inexcusable!
Third, failing to fully obey the gospel of Christ is inexcusable.  In Matthew 22:2-14, Jesus told a parable about the kingdom of God.  The Parable of the Wedding Feast contains a section where the king enters into the the place where the guests were located and sees a man who did not have on a wedding garment.  The king asked, “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?  And he was speechless” (Matt. 22:11-12).  The man was not properly attired and was immediately cast out (Matt. 22:13).  Wearing the wedding garment clearly stands for our effort to respond to the king’s goodness, grace, and requirements for enjoying the wedding feast.  In order to be in the kingdom of God, a person must be baptized into Christ and put on Christ (Gal. 3:26-27); he must have his sins washed away by the blood of Christ whereby he makes his robes white (Acts 22:16; Rev. 7:14); and he must walk in righteousness and true holiness (Heb. 12:14).  God calls us to holiness by His Word (I Thess. 4:7).  There is no excuse for not obeying the commands of God.
If you haven’t believed in God, feared the judgment of God or obeyed the gospel of Christ, why not?  Be careful how you respond!

In Matthew 21:23, Jesus was asked, “By what authority doest thou these things?”  Jesus had cleansed the temple of money changers and those that sold animals (v. 12) and the chief priests and elders among the Jews wanted to know by what authority He acted.  It is a good question even though their motives were questionable.  Jesus asked them, “the baptism of John whence was it? from heaven, or of men? (v. 25).  They considered each alternative and, sensing the dilemma Jesus had put them in, refused to answer (we cannot tell).  Then, Jesus said, “neither tell I you by what authority I do these things” (v. 27).  Of course, Jesus knew that He acted by the authority intrinsic to His identity as the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God!  He is the savior of the world.  He is sovereign.  He is the Lord Jesus Christ.  His sovereignty and His Lordship are the basis for the authority principle stated by Paul in Col. 3:16-17.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
The Authority Principle Declared
The word “whatsoever” (ti ean) indicates that God is concerned about every word and deed of our lives down to the minute details.  Nothing falls outside of the umbrella of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  “Ye” is plural and refers to the Christians at Colosse to whom Paul writes.  However, in application, it refers to every New Testament Christian.  Once we become a Christian, our whole life falls under the sovereignty and Lordship of Jesus Christ.  The word “do” (poieo) indicates every action.  Paul then divides this general concept into two specific areas: word and deed.  The word “say) (lego) indicates all verbal communication.  Some communication is forbidden by Jesus Christ to Christians.  In Eph. 4:29,30, Paul mentions “corrupt communication.”  Corrupt communication is sinful and is exemplified by: lying, profanity, gossiping, some oaths, and false doctrine or teaching.  Corrupt communication grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).  Some speech is commended by Paul such as “edification” or that which is positive and builds up such as: speaking the truth, words of encouragement, exhortation, and instruction in righteousness.  The word “do” (ergos) refers to all actions including but not limited to: treatment of others, the way we handle our money, what we do with our time, what we watch on television or the internet, what we do in recreation, and how we behave at work or at home.  The words “do all” indicates fullness of consecration to God.  When we become Christians, we present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2).  We are “all in” or 100 per cent committed to following the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The phrase “in the name of the Lord Jesus” indicates that everything we say and do must be in harmony with the will of the Lord Jesus and for His glory.  Paul refers to Jesus as “Lord.”  Jesus said, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46).  Jesus demands more than lip service from His followers.  He demands conformity to His will.  The word “Lord” is a reference to the sovereignty of Jesus due to the fact that He is the Son of God.  He possesses all authority (Matt. 28:18).  New Testament Christians live under His scrutiny and His jurisdiction no matter what they may be be doing or where they may be doing it.  And, all will be brought into judgment before Him in the last day (Acts 17:31, II Cor. 5:10).  That judgment will be based upon the righteous standard of His Word (John 12:48).  Consequently, everything that a Christian does must be done by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This eliminates compartmentalization of one’s life where we follow Jesus on Sunday, but we do whatever we want the rest of the week.  The authority of Jesus Christ is expressed in His Word (Col. 3:16).  Paul commands that Christians let the word of Christ dwell in them richly in all wisdom.  The Word of God contains the mind of God as it is revealed to the mind of men and women.  The Word of God contains the wisdom from above.  It contains the words of life.  It contains the knowledge of the sacred that repudiates the profane.
The Authority Principle Applied
The Christian life is completely under the guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ.  No area is omitted.  Consider the following passages that touch on various areas of the Christian life.  First, we assemble together in His name (Matt. 18:20; I Cor. 5:4).  We proclaim repentance in His name (Luke 24:47).  Third, we believe on His name (John 1:12; I John 5:13).  Fourth, we pray in His name (John 14:14).  Then, we speak in His Name (Acts 9:27 -preaching).  Sixth, we are justified in His name (I Cor. 6:11).  Seventh, we are baptized into His name (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38).  Finally, we give thanks in His name (Eph. 5:20).  Every Christian wears the name of Christ (I Pet. 4:14-16).  We are called by that name because everything we are and do is attributable to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We do all in His name to His glory.  If we do not act in His name, our actions are not to His glory.  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23).  Lip service to the Lord will never result in a heavenly abode.  Only those who live obediently to the Lord’s Will, out of love and faith in Him, will have the hope of everlasting life (Luke 6:46).  If Jesus is Lord, then, we must live obediently to His will at all times.

Understanding who we are in relationship to God our Creator is one of the greatest challenges of our time.  Does God define us by His creative and redemptive acts?  Or, do we define ourselves by our intuitive sense of self and our feelings about ourselves?  The difference is a crucial one.  Are we defined by God who exists outside of ourselves or are we defined by our own innate sense of self?  The first is objective and definitive and the second is subjective and relative.  The first recognizes God as God and the second recognizes ourselves as god.
The Deification of Self 
Carl Trueman in his book, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, pp. 42-50, relates an interesting analysis of human history based on the writings of Philip Rieff, professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania who wrote, The Triumph of the Therapeutic(1966).  Rieff believes that cultures are characterized by what they forbid.  He also believes that culture directs persons outward.  Rieff gives the following analysis of history: (1) political man (Plato, Aristotle)–man’s identity is derived by his participation in the politics of the city; (2) religious man (Middle Ages)–man’s identity is derived from his religious beliefs and convictions; (3) economic man (Age of Karl Marx)–man derives his identity largely from trade, production, and making money.  All three of these are defining man by outward or external forces. And, finally, (4) psychological man(modern era)–man derives his identity from his beliefs and feelings about himself rather than conformity to outward norms and values.  The emphasis is on subjective feelings that are relative to the individual.  This psychological self is the authentic self and must be recognized and respected by others.  Anything that hinders outward expression of his inner feelings and thoughts–that which attempts to challenge or falsify his psychological beliefs about himself and thus to disturb his sense of inner well-being–is by definition harmful and to be rejected.  Traditional institutions must be transformed to conform to the psychological self, not vice versa.  The individual is king.  He can be whoever he wants to be.  He rejects the notion of any external authority controlling him.  External or objective truths are constructs of the powerful designed to intimidate and harm the weak.  Overthrowing them and thus overthrowing the notion that there is a great reality to which we are all accountable, becomes the central purpose. This is the deification of self (DPS)!  While Trueman does not accept all of Rieff’s conclusions, he does see merit in the description of the psychological man as an accurate analysis of the modern self.  Rieff’s psychological man is similar to Charles Taylor’s notion of expressive individualism, –that each of us finds our meaning by giving expression to our own feelings and desires (Trueman, 46).  Once this notion has been embraced by the majority in a given culture, significant social change can be accomplished.  Inherent in the understanding of the psychological man is the philosophy of relativity.  Individuals can create their own reality and reject any objective reality.  This is the reason that a person can affirm, “I am a woman in a man’s body.” In that affirmation, there is a rejection of God’s created order/design involving two genders, male and female (Gen. 1:27, Mark 10:6).  In place of God’s created order, affirmation is now made that there are many, indeed, an infinite number of genders and personal gender is self-determined.
The Denial of Self
In Luke 9:23-27, Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (v. 23).  Self-denial is at the heart of discipleship to Jesus Christ.  What is self-denial?  The word means to deny utterly and so to disregard one’s own interest in favor of another’s desires or will.  In self-denial, we deny our personal interests, beliefs, feelings and will in order to accomplish God’s Will.  Not my will but thine be done! (Matt. 26:39).   Notice the objective aspect and external control that we permit God to have over us.  Consequently, God shapes us into the His image and we derive our authenticity and dignity from Him.  There is no dignity or nobility in sinful conduct.  There is dignity and nobility in holiness.  Through the gospel of Jesus Christ we are called to holiness (I Thess. 4:7). We must deny the lusts of the flesh. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11).  “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Rom. 6:6).  We deny self (selfishness) and live a selfless life.  Love “seeketh not her own” (I Cor. 13:5).  Deification of self is the worst form of narcissism.  It rejects God and God’s will and rebells against God’s control of our lives.  Take up his cross daily refers to facing hardships, suffering, and persecution for His name’s sake.  Faithfulness to Jesus Christ requires self-denial.  Jesus said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35).  In order to obtain eternal life, we must be willing to lose our life (self-denial, submission to God’s Will) and only then will we save it.  We save it by hiding our life in Christ (Col. 3:3).  When we are baptized into Christ, we receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) and become the children of God (Gal. 3:26,27).  When we become God’s children we name the name of Christ and depart from iniquity (II Tim. 2:19).  Self is no longer king.  God rules in our hearts and righteousness prevails.  Follow me is a phrase that defines the Christian.  A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ.  He/she follows the teachings of Jesus and the perfect example of Jesus.  Paul states, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).  Paul renounced self in order to allow Jesus to live in him.
The deification of self will lead to eternal punishment (II Thess. 1:7-9).  Those who rebel against God will face the wrath of God.  The denial of self creates a pathway to God and to everlasting life.  Self-denial is the antidote to deification of self.

Paul Gutjahr has written a history of the English Bible in America from 1777 to 1880.  Gutjahr reveals insights into the status of the Bible in America from the time of the Revolutionary War unto the end of the nineteenth century covering a period of a little more than one hundred years.  In the Preface to the book, he identifies some of the reasons for the diminishing influence of the Bible in America.  Consider the following quote: “As the nineteenth century unfolded, radical changes in printing technology, educational practices, reading tastes, transportation networks, labor relations, demographics, political institutions, and religious traditions combined to erode the Bible’s “classic preeminence” (2).  Gutjahr goes on to say, “This study argues that the reasons for the diminishing role of the Bible in American print culture are largely founded and revealed in the evolving content and packaging of the Holy Scriptures.  The Bible’s myriad mutations played an enormous, and hitherto almost entirely ignored, role in determining the Bible’s place in American hearts and minds” (3).  By 1880, nearly two thousand different editions of the Bible were available to Americans (3).  The multiplication of the Bible in America was designed to keep it the most read, most revered book, but it may have had just the opposite effect.  It divided loyalties between various versions and texts which caused competition, confusion and disillusionment with the “unchangeable” nature of the Bible.  Gutjahr mentions the impact of higher criticism and textual criticism on the translation and multiplication of the versions of the Bible.  These two influences changed the nature of the Bible from the view that the Bible was a divine document to the view that it was both a human and divine document (2).  Higher critics attempted to separate the divine from the human.  Textual critics changed the basic Greek text from which the English translations were formed.  The result was the loss of a single unifying Bible that helped define American culture.  Gutjahr also mentions the influence of men like Thomas Paine who attacked the Bible.  Paine’s works were very popular in America and helped erode confidence in the Bible.  Paine represents the influence of secular humanism in America.  The role of the Bible in American culture changed and diminished.  Today, the Bible is no longer the basis for values and morals in American culture.  The Bible has been marginalized and excluded from the public sphere and relegated primarily to individual homes and churches.  The Bible has become one book among many instead of The Book.  I have written a review of Gutjahr’s book and placed it on my Book Reviews page.  Please take the time to read it and tell others about it.

S. Scott Bartchy wrote, Slavery in the First Century and I Corinthians 7:21 as a Ph.D. thesis in 1973 for his doctorate at Harvard University.  Wife & Stock Publishing has republished this scholarly work (2003).  Bartchy gives us one of the most comprehensive works on slavery in the First Century A. D. He also provides a comprehensive analysis of I Corinthians 7.  After a careful exegesis of I Cor. 7:17-24, he gives his own translation of this passage of Scripture. While the reader will need to draw his/her own conclusions based upon an exegesis of I Cor. 7, Bartchy’s work will be helpful as a guide and also to correct some faulty areas of thinking regarding this passage and Paul’s intended meaning.  I have uploaded a book review of Bartchy’s work on my Book Reviews page.  Enjoy!

Fear is an emotional reaction to a stimulus that scares or frightens us. Fear is an emotion that often helps protect and preserve life. However, fear can also be detrimental. Fear can paralyze us causing inaction where we ought to be serving God (Matthew 25, the one talent man). Fear can also betray mistrust or lack of trust in God. Fear is rebuked by Jesus when it manifests a lack of trust in God. The fear of God is the only thing that can deliver us from the fear of man (Matthew 10:28). Learning to face life situations with faith instead of fear is a challenge that every Christian faces.

In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus sends His disciples on the limited commission. They are commanded to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus warns them about rejection and persecution (10:4, 16-20, 22:23, 25). He tells them repeatedly not to be afraid (10:26, 28, 31). How can Jesus’ disciples be fearless in the face of rejection, persecution and hatred of men?

Jesus gives them several spiritual factors that will help them be resilient.
1. They are empowered by Jesus to perform miracles (10:1, 8). The divine power given to them will help equip them for their mission and confirm that the Lord was with them.
2. They are asked to trust God. They are restricted by Jesus from taking gold, silver, brass, scrip, two coats, shoes or staves (10:9-10). They are to rely upon God’s providential care for the necessities of life.
3. They are told that God will judge all men and that included those that rejected them and persecuted them (10:15,23). God is the great avenger.
4. They are to be wise and full of meekness (10:16). Wise as serpents and harmless of doves is metaphorical language that indicates the importance of godly character when facing enemies.
5. They are to rely upon the Holy Spirit for the words making up a response to the kings and governors that inquired about their work (10:20).
6. They must possess endurance (10:22). They must be spiritual strong and courageously hold up under extreme duress.
7. They must look to the example of Jesus (10:24-25). The servant is not greater than his lord. Jesus was persecuted and rejected by the Jewish leaders. If they treated Him with disrespect, then, they will treat His disciples with the same disrespect.
8. They must fear God (10:28). They are told not to fear men because men can only take their physical life. But, God can destroy both body and soul in hell. They must remain pleasers of God rather than pleasers of men.
9. They must understand that God loves them and values them (10:31). They are of much more value than many sparrows.
10. They must love the Lord (10:37). Their love for the Lord must exceed love for father or mother or any other family member. Their spiritual relationship with God is of more value than their familial relationships.
11. They must be willing to suffer for Christ’s sake (10:38). They must be willing to bear their cross for Jesus’ sake. They must possess the courage of their convictions and uphold their commitment to Christ.
12. They must look to the reward (10:32). If they confess the Lord in word and in behavior, then the Lord will confess them before the Father which is in heaven.
13. They must heed the instruction as part of their preparation for the mission Jesus sends them to accomplish. Jesus gives them foreknowledge of the opposition that they will face taking away the fear of the unknown.

As we go forth in a New Year, we must be fearless. The Lord has equipped us with resources that inspire courage: truth, love, faith, hope, wisdom, meekness, endurance, fear of God, grace, God’s love, the intercessory work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God’s power, God’s providence, God’ justice and judgment, the example of Christ, and the reward of being in God’s presence in heavenly places. Fear Not!