“21st Century Problems In The 1st Century”
Jarrod M. Jacobs
For all the technological advances mankind has made through the years, we have not really changed much have we? Though many think that we are experiencing certain problems and difficulties for the first time, this is not so (Ecc. 1:9-11)! We have the same basic concerns and needs as every generation before us, don’t we (ex: Matt. 6:25-33)? In this article, let us examine some of the problems we face in the 21st century and note that our Lord and the Apostles solved these problems in the 1st century.
Apologizing For Speaking The Truth.
Today, many fear preaching the truth, worried someone might be upset. This fear of apologizing for the truth isn’t new. In Matthew 15:1-12, Jesus told the people their worship was in vain and that they made God’s commands ineffective. After He spoke, the disciples asked Him if He knew the Pharisees were offended. We can imagine them trying to explain Jesus’ actions, suggesting He should have done it differently. Jesus responded, saying those not planted by His Father will be uprooted, and warned against blind guides leading the blind (Matt. 15:13-14). The pulpit should never be used to belittle others, but when it’s time to preach the truth, I pray to do so boldly, no matter the cost (Jude 3; Col. 1:27-28).
What is your attitude toward the truth when it is preached in its purity and simplicity?
Denominationalism
Just as there are people today who wear the names of certain men (e.g., John Wesley, John the Baptist, and Martin Luther), so also there were people in the first century who wore the names of men. In the first century, people wore the names of Paul, Apollos, and Peter (I Cor. 1:10-13). Paul said that such things were characteristic of those who were “yet carnal” (I Cor. 3:1-9).
The questions we need to ask are, “Why would these people want to wear the names of men?” and “Why would they want to wear names that would produce division?” Some wore Paul’s name, thus dividing from those who wore Christ’s name. The same was true for those who wore the names of Apollos or Cephas! The apostle Paul asked these people, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Cor. 1:13). The answer obviously is “no.” The question we must then ask is, “Why wear the names of men who were not crucified for you?” Should not this question be posed to those in the denominational world today who insist on wearing the names of men?
True unity comes when we decide to live by the same rule, wear the same name, and speak the same thing (Phil. 3:16; Acts 11:26; Eph. 3:4)! It is possible, but who is willing to do it? Rather than dividing over matters of faith and pretending to have “unity” like so many do today, let us cast off our preconceived ideas about the Bible and study the truth together. Instead of merely hearing about God, let us hear God and obey Him (I Sam. 3:9-10; II Tim. 3:16-17; I Pet. 4:11)!
Hero Worship
This is not a new thing in society. Some will look to certain preachers, or other saints in the kingdom, as “bigger than life.” To some, they can do no wrong, and even if they do something wrong, it is right! No one could ever replace them after they are gone. The idea of hero worship can include our feelings toward our parents, friends, and many others.
How was this problem dealt with in the first century? One answer can be found in I Corinthians 2:1-5. The apostle Paul says, “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified .... my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom ... That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” Why did the apostle Paul not come to them and enamor the people with wonderful words and sayings? It is because he wanted their faith to be in the power of God, not in the wisdom of men!
Some strive for the praise of men rather than the praise of God. Rest assured, they have their reward (Matt. 6:1-8)! The Corinthians were told, “I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up” (I Cor. 4:6).
Likewise, when thinking about the “hero worship” of family members, let us remember the words of Jesus who said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). Are we worthy of Him? Are we any better than some in the 1st century?
Not Making Personal Applications In Our Study.
When we refuse to apply the spiritual lessons we learn to ourselves, we are like a starving man sitting at a table full of food but refusing to eat! Those in the 1st century were no different. They needed to apply the spiritual lessons they had learned to themselves.
James addresses this problem by contrasting a wise man who takes heed to God’s word with a foolish man who refuses to listen (Jas. 1:22-25). Which man best describes you? Be honest!
The apostle Paul wrote, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do…” (Phil. 4:9). Passages like this show the great emphasis placed upon applying the spiritual truths we learn in God’s word to ourselves!
If we in the 21st century refuse to study our Bible and make pointed applications to ourselves, what good are we to the cause of Christ? What good are preachers and teachers of the gospel who refuse to make pointed applications in their preaching and teaching? If we are not applying what we learn, how can we expect anyone else to do it?
Stunted Spiritual Growth
In the 1st century, some Christians had not grown as they should. Consider the Hebrew Christians. They had been Christians long enough that they ought to have been teaching others, but they could not. Their growth was stunted (Heb. 5:12-14). The good news was that these people did not have to stay like that! They could reverse this by immersing themselves in God’s word and exercising their senses to discern both good and evil. The apostle Peter told the Christians, “Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:17-18).
Worldliness
Worldliness is one of the worst problems we face today. This is because worldliness can manifest itself in the form of immodest dress, modern dancing, vulgar language, the drinking of alcohol, the use of drugs, pornography, and in many other ways.
The Bible clearly shows that God’s people have always had to battle worldliness. One example is Colossians 3:1-10. The apostle Paul compares how people used to live with how they live now. He points out that worldliness is something they put to death when they crucify the old man and bury him in the waters of baptism (Col. 3:5-7; Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:12). He then explains what they need to do now that they are free from sin and cleansed of unrighteousness (Col. 3:8-10). It is their responsibility to listen and apply these principles. The same applies to us. We need to pay close attention to God's word and make proper applications so we can become better, godly people, prepared for Heaven.
Conclusion
No, our problems are not new. Yet, this does not diminish their serious nature just because people have always had these problems! Let us be aware that Satan is using the same tools today that he used in the 1st century because they are effective! Let us not fall prey to him (I Pet. 5:8), but be strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10)!
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