In This Issue

• THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD

• THE ONE NOT CHOSEN: JOSEPH BARSABBAS

• LET THE BIBLE BE YOUR GUIDE

• MORE INFORMATION...

THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD

The apostle John tells us that Jesus “… was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:9-13).

Throughout history, there have been many “false” lights—individuals claiming to have discovered “the key” to various mysteries, but who themselves were in reality a source of more darkness and confusion. But Jesus is the true Light. He is the steady, dependable source of the utmost knowledge of God the Father, and He came into the world to enlighten mankind of the love, the mercy, the justice and the will of God.

As already indicated in verse 3, Jesus existed before He came into this world, and in fact, it was He who made this world. But because of preconceived notions and spiritual indifference, the world at large did not recognize Him.

John speaks specifically of Jesus’ own people and country and how He was rejected by them. A reflection in the Greek text, not usually manifested in the English translations is that there are two different words translated by the word, “own.” Literally, Jesus came to His own land or country – and His own people did not receive Him. Judea was Jesus’ own land, in that it was the place chosen by God for Jesus to be born, Micah 5:2. The Jews (Israelites) were Jesus’ own people in that God had chosen them centuries before to be the nation through whom the Seed of Abraham would come to bless all nations, Gen. 22:18, etc.

Though Jesus was rejected by most of His own countrymen, some did receive Him and embrace His gospel. These had the right to become children of God – the right to come into a spiritual relationship with the Creator of the universe; the right to address Him as Father, and to be heard by Him as His sons and daughters.

The apostle describes this new relationship as a birth. He will have more to say about that in chapter 3. But here he says these “children” were born, “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” These are born, “not of blood.” Actually, in the Greek the word is plural, “bloods.” People do not become children of God because they have descended from royal bloodlines -- not even the physical bloodline of Abraham. Jesus came to enlighten “every man,” verse 9.

And this “new birth,” is not a physical matter at all. Unlike many in the physical realm, these children were not born of the will of the flesh – sexual desire. Nor were they born of the will of man – the desire to produce offspring. This “birth” of which John speaks is a direct result of the will of God. All who truly accept Jesus as Lord, by obeying His teaching, come into God’s spiritual family. God has extended that privilege to everyone – and those who are willing to receive Him have the right and privilege to become children of God.

-Clarence R. Johnson

THE ONE NOT CHOSEN: JOSEPH BARSABBAS

Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sthur, Nahbi, Geuel – any of those names ring a bell? Probably not. Joshua and Caleb? “Oh, yeah, I remember them.” Ten names that will go down in infamy. We hardly recall their names because they are the ten spies who came back with the faithless report about taking the land of promise. We remember Joshua and Caleb because of their contrasting response, their great confidence in God to be able to deliver what He promised.

Let’s try another: Matthias. Sure, you remember Him too. He was the one who was selected to replace Judas Iscariot and be numbered among the apostles (Acts 1:21-26). How well do you remember the other disciple whose name was thrown into the hat with Matthias, the one not chosen to be numbered among the 12? The name Joseph Barsabbas is likely not on the tip of your tongue. Most likely, he who was also called Justus would not make your list of great Bible characters.

Not that we should equally compare Joseph Barsabbas with the ten names of infamy aforementioned, but he is often passed over nonetheless because he was not chosen. Not to be confused with evil Barrabas or Joseph who was called Barnabas by the apostles, Joseph Barsabbas is perhaps an under-appreciated disciple of the Lord.

What if you had been Joseph Barsabbas the day the lot fell upon Matthias and not you? It hurts to be passed over. Would feelings of inadequacy and disappointment have beset you? Did he pause to think, “I wonder why God chose Matthias and not me”?

Have you ever felt passed over, unappreciated, unacknowledged or undervalued in the Lord’s cause? The story of Joseph Barsabbas is for you. Four observations about this disciple in Scripture:

Though Not Chosen, Chosen of God

Despite not being numbered among the 12, Joseph could find consolation that he was still numbered among the people of God, the chosen, Eph. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 2:9. “Chosen of God” is a place of honor or blessing even if we are not chosen for other tasks in God’s kingdom or our deeds for the Lord go unnoticed by others.

All Are Not Apostles, Are They?

Everyone could not serve as an apostle of our Lord (only 12 positions available!). In 1 Cor. 12:29-30, Paul could well have said, “Remember Joseph Barsabbas.” Not everyone could be a tongue-speaker or miracle-worker in Corinth, but everyone could practice the love of Christ, 1 Cor. 13:31 through 14:1. Everyone cannot serve as elder. Everyone cannot effectively fill a pulpit. No room exists in the kingdom for rivalry, competition, envy and jealousy, Eph. 4:1-3.

Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice

The challenge to be selfless can be no greater than right here. I would like to think Joseph congratulated Matthias, patted him on the back, offered support and said something to this effect: “I’m glad for you, brother. May the Lord bless us both as we continue to strive for His kingdom and glory!” For many, the first part of Rom. 12:15 is much harder to do than the second part.

It’s okay if someone else gets the nod other than me. We should rejoice in how the Lord is able to use them. It’s okay if someone gets praised, noticed, and I do not. Remember, the Lord always notices, Heb. 6:10.

Excel Still More

Joseph Barsabbas was not being rejected as a Christian. Who really knows why God chose Matthias over him? Certainly, yield in the kingdom varies from disciple to disciple, Luke 8:15. Not everyone can be the five-talent man, Matt. 25:14-30. Joseph’s non-selection changed nothing. His mission was still to see maximum yield for his Lord and King.

How are you going to handle disappointment in the kingdom and in life for that matter? How will you respond to the selection of others above yourself? 

1) Do not wallow in self-pity.

2) Determine to imitate Christ in your thinking and character to the best of your ability. 

3) Cultivate your talent. Tap into all of your ability for service in the kingdom. Who knows what the Lord may yet be able to do through you? 

4) Kill jealousy and rivalry in your heart. Rejoice with, acknowledge, appreciate and encourage those who excel among us, 1 Thess. 5:11-18. 5) Stay focused in your aim and constant effort to fulfill the greatest command, Mark 12:30-31.

Chosen of God is enough! It’s more than enough. It’s the ultimate.

-Tony Mauck, Abundant Life, April 2005

LET THE BIBLE BE YOUR GUIDE

We have nothing to offer but the word of God. We have no Catechism, no Manual, no Confession of Faith; in short, no creed book of any kind but the Bible. If someone were to ask a member of the church, “What do you believe?” he would hand him a copy of the Bible! If the question were more specific, then the Bible would be opened to those passages that deal with that particular problem.

Our plea to each of you is, let the Bible be your guide. There probably has never been a time in modern history when the need for a return to the Bible has been more critical. There is religious division on every hand. Confusion abounds and honest, sincere people don’t know which way to turn. A prophet in the Old Testament cried, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Man can fly to the moon and walk on the ocean floor, but he lacks the ability to find his way to heaven. How desperately we need to open our Bibles and let the Lord tell us what is right.

It would be incorrect to say that the Bible is a guide. The reason? The Bible is THE guide! There is no other! 2 Tim. 3:16-17 tells us that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” This passage either states the truth or it does not. If it does not, then the Bible is not reliable. If it does state the truth, then the Bible is all any person needs to go to heaven because it will make him perfect and completely furnish him to all good works!

And so we plead, let the Bible be YOUR guide.

-Aude McKee, Back to Basics, Nov. 2003

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