Hint or Question?

From a young age, I remember my dad putting into practice the truth of scripture:  "Ask and ye shall receive."  While some parents are content to ask leading questions of their children, it was clear that if I wanted something I would need to ask for it.  More and more these days I notice people don't actually ask for things:  they will hint or resort to manipulative tactics to achieve their ends.  For instance, let's say you see a child struggling to open the lid of a container.  He grunts and groans, making his frustration known.  His mum notices the struggles of her son and says, "Do you want me to open that for you?"  The child nods and brings it to his mum to open.  This is an unscriptural way to deal with this issue.  If a child wants help, he must be required humble himself to ask for it.  God requires no less of His children.  Before long this can become a deeply entrenched habit the boy or parent won't even recognise which can affect not only his relationship with men, but his approach to God.

Here is another perfect illustration of this hinting in the movie "Napoleon Dynamite."  Kip gets his wish, though he never asks a question.  He simply makes a statement.  But like most of us, Napoleon took the hint and responds to a statement as if he was asked. 

James writes of common problems of people in James 4:2-3:  "You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."  We have not because we ask not, and when we do ask it is often with selfish motivation.  Like that child struggling with the lid, we might suppose we have actually asked God to help us when all we have done is grunt and groan in frustration.  We vent our anger to God, we lay out our frustrations, but we never actually ask Him to do anything.  And when we do ask Him to intervene, we do so not led by the Holy Spirit, but according to our selfish dictates.  Even worse, we choose to complain or consult with people rather than taking our issues to God at all.  It's not until we are on a severe downward spiral before we even think to speak to God in prayer.

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."  God does not exist to supply our lack, but it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom!  He is a gracious provider, a generous giver, and hears the prayers of the humble.  We are evil and know how to give good gifts:  how much more is the Father able and willing to give to Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?  It a is wonderful consolation that God does many things for our benefit without us asking.  His will is not restricted by our poor pseudo-questions.  But when we desire something, we ought to ask.  Instead of resorting to manipulation or hinting, let us humble ourselves before both God and man to ask direct questions.  In answering a question, let our words be obedient to what Jesus commands in Matthew 5:37:  "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."  May our requests of God be actual questions!  Only after we ask will the answer come.

Excuse to Doubt or Reason to Believe?

In this age of information, the irony exists that men have more excuses than ever to doubt.  Conspiracy thrives on the internet and all manner of media with unrelenting force.  People will believe what they want to believe, and it's not hard to find people with all sorts of opinions.  Truth has become a virtual cornucopia which allows the freedom of opposite and conflicting opinions to carry the same weight.  Evidence is open to wide interpretation - if you have the luxury of actually possessing it.  Personal opinion is often the strongest evidence most people's beliefs are founded upon, about as stable as oil and eroding sand.  If we hear it enough, we can be convinced two plus two equals five.

The world changes, but people stay the same.  We are naturally parrots upon whom the conspiracy vultures prey.  Conspiracy and doom are big business with books, DVDs, and conferences raking in millions annually.  Funny isn't it, that people who stumble upon this "secret" information are willing to bare all for a few bucks?  A topic cools down, and ten more pop up from nowhere.  Even after these self-proclaimed prophets and insiders are proven wrong because of incorrect "facts," two or three more documentaries from the same group are already in the works to tie up the loose ends and take it a step further.  If someone is wrong once, they can be wrong again.  If a prophet speaks in the name of LORD and the thing does not come to pass, they are not to ever be heeded again.  Unlike leopards, men change their spots.  But God and His Word never change.  They are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Because God loves His people, God sent prophets to warn them of the certain negative consequences of their sin.  One of the prophets was named Ezekiel.  God directed him to do all sorts of strange and bizarre things to capture the attention of the people and illustrate what the future held.  Although Ezekiel faithfully warned the people about the coming judgment, famine, sword, and captivity, they did not believe him.  He lamented in Ezekiel 20:49, "Ah, Lord GOD! They say of me, 'Does he not speak parables?'"  Instead of believing the sober words of Ezekiel, the people chalked up his words as merely symbolic, a story they could explain according to their own dictates.  They didn't like Ezekiel's words, so they made up a meaning to suit themselves they were comfortable with.  They rolled their eyes at this loon and ignored his pleas to listen.  God certainly wouldn't let them be judged by Babylon!  Ezekiel must be mad!  Month after month, year after year, Ezekiel continued to warn.  Ultimately all he said came to pass because God does not lie.  The people had reason to believe, but they made excuses to doubt.

God has given everyone many reasons to believe.  He has given every man a conscience which agrees with His moral law.  He has sent Jesus Christ in fulfillment of scripture, who died and rose again from the dead.  He has sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  Unfortunately, not everyone is pleased with what God has to say.  2 Corinthians 4:3-4 explains, "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴ whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."  The Bible says that a day is coming when every man will be judged according to God's Law.  It is appointed to man once to die and then comes the judgment (Heb. 9:27).  The only hope for man to be saved from eternal wrath is to receive Christ through the Gospel.  But Satan has blinded the eyes of men and prejudiced their hearts against the truth, to the point it seems like foolishness to them.  The natural man cannot receive the things of God.  It is only through the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit that blind eyes can be opened and the dead raised to life.

God warned His people in Isaiah 1:18-20:  "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. ¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; ²⁰ but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword"; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."  Truth can bear examination.  Have you ever considered the historical and geographical evidence, the fulfilled prophesies, and the flawless perfection of God's Word as reasons to consider and believe the claims?  Do not comfort yourself with "The Bible is full of mistakes" without having read and studied it yourself!  I have never met someone who made this claim except out of admitted ignorance.  The Bible is not just another book:  it is the Word of God without flaw.  In it we find the words of life which point to Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world.

No drowning man would refuse a life-preserver because the orange colour doesn't match his shirt, yet many people will not even open the Bible that explains how to have eternal life.  If man will give anything to prolong a miserable existence on earth a couple years, of how much greater value is his eternal soul!  What rational excuse does man have to ignore the claims of the Word of God?  Maybe the Bible does contradict your life.  But what life do you have beyond your fleeting existence upon this planet?  Without Christ, there is no life at all:  only death.  He is the Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6).  Three days after being crucified and dying on a cross, Jesus rose again and was seen by hundreds of eye-witnesses!  Isn't that alone reason to believe Him?

Passion for Christ - Fruit to Follow!

During my first visit to Australia, I stayed with a wonderful family in Brisbane.  A good portion of the back of the house and porch was covered with a lush, green, passion fruit vine.  I was amazed by the amount of foliage and fruit generated by a single seed.  The vine was enormous, but the connection to the ground was very small.  From what I can remember, my hosts said every year they would give it a big trim.  It would begin growing again, creeping up the bannister and up to the second story with a bumper crop of delicious passion fruit.

Jesus said in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."  Just like the passion fruit vine's life, growth, and food production depended on the vine's connection to the earth, so we as Christians are only viable when we are connected to Christ.  It would be foolish for the branches to be so awed by their rich foliage and heavy fruit that they no longer see the need to be connected to the root system.  This can occur in the ministries of the church.  We can be so focused on growth or evident fruitfulness that we neglect to protect and tend to our connection to Christ.  It may not be obvious overnight, but ministries that move away from abiding in Christ instantly begin to wilt and die.  Apart from Christ all strength for life, growth, and fruitfulness is gone.

The best strategies and plans of men will fail, but those who abide in Christ are granted life and vitality.  As a gardener daily inspects his vines for disease or insects, so we must constantly consider the condition of our hearts.  Am I wandering from complete devotion to Christ?  Is my mind dwelling on things above or am I entertaining sinful thoughts?  Are my eyes focused on Jesus or am I distracted and frustrated by lack of growth?  Are there little foxes - spiritual attacks - that I need to guard against?  Am I lifted up with pride because of the apparent success of a ministry instead of glorifying God for His grace and provision?  Without Jesus Christ we can do nothing.

Let us acknowledge and praise God for the life provided through Jesus.  May we grow and thrive as we abide in Him!

Do You Want to Be Made Well?

Our eyes are valuable because they enable us to see.  During our waking moments we are almost entirely dependent upon them.  It it difficult for someone who can see to even fathom living without the blessing of sight.  Yet there are limitations even to a set of eyes with perfect vision.  We cannot see through thick fog or solid objects.  Our range of vision is limited by distance and the direction we currently face.  No one actually has functioning eyes on the back of their heads, though some people can make you wonder by their uncanny ability of perception!

Man is constantly stretching the boundaries of what he can do and accomplish.  But there will always be a boundary.  The time for a human being running 100 meters will never be 0.00.  Because of the things we can see and do we sometimes forget there is more to the picture.  From our limited perspective, we create expectations of what needs to happen in our lives.  As Christians, we often pray according to what we can see.  We pray according to sight, not by faith.  We observe what appears to be a huge problem and tell God how we think He should handle things.  And when He doesn't operate in the way we expect we can become bitter and disillusioned, wondering if God hears our prayers or actually loves us at all.  From time to time God will pull back the veil on things that happened years ago and we see clearly what He was doing we didn't perceive then:  He was with us and acting for our good the whole time.

In John chapter 5, a passage talks about a man who suffered from a debilitating infirmity for 38 years.  It was no doubt a source of great struggle and difficulty.  He lay by a pool called Bethesda, waiting for the moving of the water.  John writes that from time to time an angel would stir the water and whoever stepped in first would be healed from whatever infirmity they suffered.  Jesus visited this man.  John 5:6-8 reads, "When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" ⁷ The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." ⁸ Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."  Jesus asked the sick man if he wanted to be made well.  Instead of answering the question, the man pointed out that being healed seemed impossible since he had no one to help him be the first in the water.  He had figured out what he thought to be his best and possibly only chance for healing.  Unless he had a man to put him in the water, he was doomed.

Jesus asks you the question:  "Do you want to be made well?"  How do you answer?  Do you tell God what needs to happen before you can be healed?  For 38 years or more you may have suffered from your condition, and you are still waiting for God to acquiesce to your plan.  It is time to stop pointing to the obstacles, blaming others, or yourself.  If it time to look to Jesus and say, "Yes.  I want to be healed and I know you can do it.  I give you freedom to ask or do anything you wish because I trust you."  How silly it was for the man to be lamenting he did not have a man when the God-Man Jesus Christ stood before him with the power and willingness to heal!  The Saviour stands before you today, knocking at the door, and calling out your name.  He may not act in the way you expect, but expect Him to act!

What Happens in Vegas...

Prince Harry made headlines in Australia because of his partying ways in Las Vegas, often referred to as "Sin City."  Famous for its strip of hotels, casinos, clubs, risque adult entertainment, call girls, and endless buffets, the city of Las Vegas has a adopted a bold-faced lie as its slogan:  "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas."  The moniker fits in my opinion because sin is deceitful.  The concept that there is a geographic place on earth where morality and consequences are nil is the fantasy of fools.  Most people leave Vegas with less money than they came, so obviously money stays there!  Even if mobile phone cameras hadn't been invented, Prince Harry and others just looking "to have fun" leave Vegas with far less dignity.  What happened behind closed doors has been shouted from the rooftops with the long reach and permanent smudge of the internet.

The potential for scandal is not based upon geographic limits.  A city nor outside influences are justifications for scandalous behaviour.  The issue is one of the heart.  Just like what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas, the desires and lusts in the heart of a person will find their release.  The things people think about and the fantasies they entertain will eventually spill over into real life.  What we set before our eyes and the people we associate with have the potential to lead us into grave error and sin.  James 1:13-15 reads, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."  We sin when we transgress the righteous commands of God's laws.  Jesus says that if a man even looks with lust at a woman, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  The heart is drowning in sin long before a man acts out on his desires.

The Bible always tells us to do what is right, not just avoid doing what is wrong.  Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."  If a man loves God, he will honour, respect, and obey Him.  A man who loves his wife will not cheat on her or be disloyal.  He will consider her feelings, respect her wishes, listen to her, and spend quality time with her.  Instead of focusing on trying not to do all the things that he knows will weaken and destroy the marriage, his love will positively strengthen and deepen their relationship.  When Joseph (a single man at the time) was tempted by a married seductress to have sex, he did not apologetically decline.  "Well, I know it's old school, but I was raised to wait until marriage.  I mean, you are attractive and it sounds like fun, but if someone found out I would be in big trouble.  We wouldn't want those pics plastered on the pyramids."  No!  Genesis 39:9 says, "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"  Joseph honoured God and his master.  He saw this suggestion as great wickedness and his heart refused to even entertain the idea of sin.

The devil delights to deceive a man into thinking he can sin without consequences.  The moment a man sins in his heart--even in Las Vegas--God knows.  When desires are conceived they bring forth sin.  And when sin is full grown, it brings forth death.  After a woman becomes pregnant, a tiny person begins to grow within her womb.  As the mother eats, nutrients are passed to the growing baby.  Even though 9 months is the typical length of a pregnancy, a child can be born months before or weeks past the original due date.  Sin in our hearts is like a developing baby,  At first there may be a little "morning sickness" which is actually a disturbed conscience, but people get over that.  A pregnant woman will ultimately give birth to a baby, whether she is aware of her pregnancy or not.  It is not unheard of that a woman goes to the doctor thinking she is experiencing abdominal cramps but is actually giving birth to a child!  The point?  Sin grows in the hearts of all people, developing slowly.  Whether we recognise the symptoms or not, sin when full-grown brings forth death.  Even as a baby emerges from his mother into the world, so all men will face God on the Day of Judgment.  All secret sins will be brought to light, and the soul that sins will surely die.

God made a way for our sins to be forgiven, expunged, and remembered no more.  Our permanent record of sin can be wiped clean by the blood of Jesus Christ when we repent and trust in Him.  Trying to wash yourself clean of sin is like trying to purge the internet of those embarrassing mugshots or bachelor party photos.  Even if you were to do that, it's impossible to strike from our memory some of the things we have done or seen.  But God can cleanse your heart, mind, and soul.  We can have right standing and fellowship with Him again by grace through faith.  Don't be deceived by the apparent latency period of sin.  Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."

According to His Riches

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

When I was growing up, I wore my favourite clothes and shoes until they wore out.  Silk-screened logos became cracked and faded, and holes grew in my Vans shoes.  One thing I love about the promises of God is that they never become threadbare and worn out from use.  They never lose their lustre or fade.  If anything, the promises of God become exceedingly more precious because our experience proves they are genuine.  God's Word is not to be locked away in a vault somewhere to guard the secrets contained within, but liberally shared and broadcasted everywhere.  Like the bread that Jesus blessed, broke, and distributed to His disciples to dispense, the greater the need the more God supplies.

God is a provider for the needs of His people.  He does not give out of His abundance, but "according to His riches."  This is grace upon grace.  We starving beggars would be satisfied with scraps from the King's table, yet the King has set us beside Himself at the table with a double-portion of royal dainties.  But alas!  Though we are children of God by faith in Christ, in our earthly condition much of what enters the mouth and stomach is not only eliminated, but forgotten.  When the familiar gnaw of hunger grows within us, we worry that we will starve!  We must bring to remembrance often how God has graciously provided for our needs, given us assurance in His Word of His faithful care and provision, and to reject fears and worries as sin.

God will doubtless supply ALL our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  When our sufficiency is found in Christ, what have we to fear?  Let us take God at His Word and receive according to His gracious provision.  2 Corinthians 8:15 says, "As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

Follow Jesus!

One of my favourite paintings is called "The Parable of the Blind" by Pieter Bruegel.  Painted in 1568, I find the attention to detail and profound symbolism striking.  When Jesus and his followers were criticised by the Pharisees, Jesus saw no need to fight with them.  The painting is an illustration of what Jesus says in Matthew 15:14, "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Who you trust and choose to follow is very important.  There are many people who can see with their physical eyes but are spiritually blind, unable to discern the truth.  The Pharisees substituted the traditions of men for the commandments of God.  They were blind guides who led many to destruction.

A teacher can only take a student as far as he knows.  Exceptional students who desire complete mastery over their subject seek to be taught by experts.  Someone who aspires to be a physicist will need more than rudimentary knowledge of algebra.  The same can be said of martial arts or sport.  A weekend warrior with relatively no experience will not be a suitable coach to prepare people to play at a professional level.  A grand master has the knowledge and ability that enables him to teach and train others to a high level.  The sensei a man decides to train under will be a large determining factor in his ultimate success.  In the Hebrew culture, the rabbi a man followed would influence his beliefs, interpretation, and philosophy.  A man's spiritual progression, wisdom, and status depended largely on the rabbi he followed.  It is imperative, therefore, to choose and follow the best rabbi - not just anyone who will take you on as a student.

When John the Baptist began preaching and baptising people, he gained a following among the Jews.  He had many followers who were faithful adherents to his teachings.  John was a prophet sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.  He singled out Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.  The identity of Jesus as the Messiah was revealed to John after he baptised Him.  The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended and landed on Jesus as a voice spoke from heaven, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:17)  John 1:35-37 reads, "Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. ³⁶ And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" ³⁷ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus."  When I read this I thought, here are two men who really understood what John the Baptist had been saying.  They got it!  But even after John claimed Jesus was the Son of God, there were many men who continued to follow John.  Their loyalty to John hindered their growth because a man greater than John had come.  After John pointed out Jesus as the Christ, those who were wise left John and followed Jesus instead.

As Christians, it is imperative and paramount that we follow Jesus Christ.  There are no shortage of people to follow or causes to embrace.  Plenty of people will have you if you will have them!  Unless Jesus is the one we follow, we follow a blind guide.  Unfortunately blind guides have continued to multiply over the years, drawing people away from biblical truth.  Never give your allegiance to a preacher, author, philosopher, philanthropist, actor, musician, or to any person other than Jesus Christ.  A man can only truly follow one master.  Our loyalty cannot be divided.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  He is the only one who has the words of life.

Love Makes the Difference

After church yesterday, my wife Laura and I went to a high tea put on by the Pyjama Angel Foundation.  For over a year now I have been a volunteer with the Foundation, committing to one hour of reading and playing educational games with a child in foster care a week.  It is really a terrific organisation that seeks to meet the needs of an ever growing number of children in foster care.  We had a good time chatting with other volunteers and enjoyed a musical performance by the Lane Cove Orchestra.

The founder of the Pyjama Angel Foundation spoke about the importance of education for the children in foster care, as statistics show they are at a high risk of dropping out of school and committing crimes as juveniles and adults.  The simple act of spending time with undivided attention for each child conveys a sense of value and security.  Literacy and education, she said, were keys to giving kids in care the opportunity to progress and develop in their studies and life.

As I looked over the group of people listening to Mrs. Sheehan, I thought about what she said.  I agree completely with the vision and purpose of the Pyjama Angel Foundation.  But I do not believe education is the answer to the problems children in foster care face.  They need the same thing that all people crave:  love.  If I try to "educate" without love, it profits very little.  When you love a child unconditionally, what you say now becomes important.  Knowledge and facts have their place, but they are no substitute for love.  If a child knows he is truly loved, his trust will begin to grow.  He may still have baggage, issues, and struggles.  He may not seem to get out what you are putting in.  But it is your love he will cherish and remember, even when he is old - not the English facts you skillfully present.  It is love that will transform a life.

When I think back to all my years in school, I learned many things.  But it is easier for me to remember the faces and names of my teachers and professors than what they actually taught me.  The teachers which made the biggest difference in my life were the ones who impacted me by touching my heart.  It was their love of kids and the love of teaching that came through.  It is love that mades the difference.  Jesus Christ did not come to earth as the Master Teacher, though He is unrivaled as far as good teachers go.  He came and demonstrated His love for all people.  He went to the sick and healed them.  He fed the hungry and taught the multitudes.  Jesus took babies and children in His arms and blessed them.  Those same hands were nailed to a cross:  Jesus laid down His life as a payment for sin so all who repent and trust in Him can be born again and become children of God.  Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Plenty of men were crucified by the Romans, but the death of Jesus Christ was different.

What does this teach us?  It is love that makes the difference.

Heading for Heaven

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

 Romans 8:16-18

When I was young, I made a decision to be born again and commit my life to Jesus Christ.  There were three basic reasons why I did this:  Jesus loved me, I didn't want to go to hell, and I wanted to go to heaven.  As unthinkably horrible as hell is, heaven is infinitely better than we can grasp.  I think it is easier for us to comprehend the terrors of hell than the bliss of heaven while entrenched in our earthly condition.  In this life we have all tasted suffering to some extent.  Instead of backing away from hell in fear, Christians ought to set our focus upon the heavenly glory which will be revealed.  New Jerusalem will not be amazing because the streets are paved with gold or because of our glorified bodies:  New Jerusalem will be great because God is there, sitting on the throne in unspeakable glory, and we will be with Him forever.

Scripture is limitless in scope and application.  The more we dig in the more we realise much remains to be discovered and understood.  No man alive can plumb the depths or soar into the heavens of all that scripture contains.  Yet for all the height, width, depth and breadth, only a small fraction is spent describing the new heavens and new earth that will be our eternal abode - the place we commonly call "heaven."  Many books have been written on the subject, but they cannot not do heaven justice.  I'm sure the authors would not disagree.  Our view of heaven is foggy and misty at best.  Having been saved from the wrath to come, we do well to fix our eyes upon Christ and where He is, living in the presence of the Father.  That is a place where even angels fear to tread, bowing before the Father reverentially with constant words of praise and adoration.  Even with the revelations provided by the Holy Spirit, it has hardly entered into our hearts what God has prepared for those who love Him.  Our light affliction (which can be unfathomably heavy by the world's standards) is not worthy to be compared with our ultimate glory.  Suffering now increases the sweetness of heaven exponentially.

Revelation 21:3-5 reads, "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." ⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  Can you imagine a place where there is no death, sorrow, crying, or pain?  I can't.  I believe heaven exists and by God's grace, according to the assurance provided in His Word, I will someday live there.  But it is unimaginable how things will be different.  God will make all things new!  It will not be former things with a new coat of paint:  all things will be new.  Pain and sorrow are our inseparable companions on earth, but the day is coming when they will pass away forever.  Death will not even be a memory, for the former things will not come into mind (Isaiah 65.17).

I have heard many people say that they look forward to meeting men and women of faith spoken about in the Bible and asking questions about their time on earth.  Should I go up to Moses and ask him what was going through his head when he saw the burning bush, I would surely have to interrupt praise being offered to God!  He would be right to say, "Shut up, man!  You are in the presence of the KING OF KINGS!  Who am I?  You're thinking about a burning bush when the Lamb of God stands before you in glory?  Praise Him!"  Words are inadequate to convey the feeling of joy all will experience who are in the presence of God, a God whose presence we can boldly enter today by grace through faith.  Because the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in every believer, we know a bit of the joy we share in God's holy presence.  But when we are perfected and glorified, we shall comprehend in a far clearer and purer sense than we can today.  1 John 3:2 reads, "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

Jesus says in John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."  When considering heaven, what is your primary focus:  crowns, mansions, a glorified body, or simply being with Jesus?  He is coming to receive His inheritance to Himself.  We are that inheritance, the reward of His suffering.  That God would love us to such a degree is mind-blowing.  Can you imagine, us sinful pukes as an inheritance?  Yet it is a reality that rightly brings tears of joy to our eyes.  To God be the glory now and forever!  Since we are going to be together forever, let's get to know Him better today.  When the time comes to meet Him face to face, there will be no words.  Looking into His eyes will suffice.

Living in the Light of Eternity

When people take out a loan to buy a house, there are consequences for those who are late or miss payments.  Late payments affects credit ratings and adds fees.  If a "homeowner" ceases to make payments on their home (which the bank still owns!), they can be evicted from the property.  After I bought my first home in the States, it turned out that the previous tenant had accrued much debt.  My neighbor told me he saw several of her cars impounded, and for a while we received calls from a collection agency because she had missed payments on her furniture.  If we put ourselves in debt by overspending and are unable to pay, those whom we owe have the legal right to repossess our cars, homes, and even take the bed out from under us.

All people are born with a debt of sin that looms larger by the day.  Like a balloon payment at the end of a mortgage, the day will come for everyone to settle accounts with the Judge and Creator of all things.  God has provided the 10 Commandments and His Word so we might be see ourselves in the light of His truth:  we are all sinners, and the wages of sin is death.  Without the shedding of blood there is no remission, no forgiveness of sins.  If I were to die in my sins and be judged according to God's perfect Law, the only way I could settle accounts with God would be with my own blood.  I would be bound hand and foot, my body and soul repossessed, and be thrown into hell - where the worm dies not and the fire is not quenched.  It is a place of outer darkness, regret, and unspeakable torment for eternity.  That's the consequence of sin, and it's absolutely heartbreaking.

Hear how Whitefield preached, and never dare to be lethargic again.  Winter says of him that "sometimes he exceedingly wept, and was frequently so overcome, that for a few seconds you would suspect he never would recover; and when he did, nature required some little time to compose himself.  I hardly ever knew him go through a sermon without weeping more or less.  His voice was often interrupted by his affections; and I have heard him say in the pulpit,  'You blame me for weeping; but how can I help it, when you will not weep for yourself, although your own immortal souls are on the verge of destruction, and, for aught I know, you are hearing your last sermon, and may never more have an opportunity to have Christ offered to you?' (Lectures to My Students, Spurgeon, pg. 307)

People will do anything to save their own skins.  But most give little if any thought to the condition of their souls.  Jesus asked, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"  Money, fame, power, or political clout will not save you on the day when you stand before the Great White Throne of Judgment.  It is not the throne which is intimidating, but the face and mighty power of the One who sits upon it before whom the earth and heavens will flee.  Death comes unexpectedly, and the wise prepare for it.  I am not referring to funeral plans, insurance, or buying a plot for your remains:  I speak about the soul, the eternal, immaterial, and real you who lives in your body. Through the Gospel, all people are invited to repent and trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour, allowing God to possess you heart, mind, body, and soul.  On the Day of Judgment no Christian will face God's wrath, because Jesus has paid the fine we owed.  Because He did for our sins, we are partakers of His life which continues for eternity.

Think of it!  Standing naked with empty hands before the Creator and Just Judge, God Almighty - without a solicitor, lawyer, money, or recourse - what would you say after countless charges are laid before you, each carrying the sentence of eternal death?  What could you say?  What could you do?  When a man dies in his sins and is bound hand and foot by angels powerful enough to kill every human being on earth in a day, how could he fight against them?  Can a man fight against God?  Man can fight, scream, curse, and blaspheme, but that will not change the righteous rulings of God.  It gives God no pleasure to mete out justice to man for his sin.  It is God's will that none should perish and that all come to repentance.  He has made a way for all to be saved through repentance and faith in Christ.  There is one way to heaven, and Jesus is the Way.  God has revealed this all beforehand so all men are accountable.

Jesus says in John 3:16-20, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed."  Are you walking in the Light?  Jesus is the Light of the World, come to seek and save the lost.  When God shines the light upon you, allow yourself to be exposed.  Don't run from the truth.  Don't try to hide the reality of your sin.  Repent and be born again today.  Jesus is your only Hope.

Joey Hockenberry, Loved By God

Funerals are bittersweet:  bitter because we are processing the loss of a loved one, but sweet to reflect on how people have impacted our lives for good.  The first funeral I officiated was for a man I never knew.  Our church was contacted by the coroner's office in San Diego and were asked if we could provide someone to perform the service.  I was on staff as a youth pastor at Calvary Chapel El Cajon at the time and had been recently ordained as a pastor.  It was through that phone call I was introduced to a young man known by his friends as Joey Hockenberry.

Joey was a man I wish I could have met.  A condition from birth prevented him from being able to speak.  Even at 30 years old he enjoyed simple pleasures, especially balloons.  He had an amazing smile.  His mother and sister loved Joey deeply, and his death was a tragic shock.  In a moment, this young man passed into eternity.  As I stood at the lectern at the funeral hall, the organist playing softly behind me, my heart broke for the grieving people who knew the young man.  This was a man who was greatly loved by people and the God who created him.  Though I never met Joey, I will never forget Him.  His life should be celebrated more than the mourning of his passing.  If I could meet Joey's mum and sister again, I would give them each a hug.  They shared the life of their dear son and brother that day, a gift I can never repay.

There are some people who might trivialise Joey's life because of an arbitrary level of physical or mental development.  I can tell you one thing for certain:  God doesn't.  God spoke to Moses in Exodus 4:11, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?  God made Joey Hockenberry.  He made him exactly as He intended to, and God does all things well.  Joey never lost the wonder of being young.  He laughed, he loved, he was human in every way.  What we see as a limitation in someone else is a revelation of our limitations.  God values human life to the point of sending His own Son as a sacrifice for sin.  God allowed His only Son, Jesus Christ, to face death on the cross so all might live.  Jesus died for Joey, me, and you.

God values life.  He is the one who gives eternal life!  Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me."  If you hate your life, it is because you love yourself more than Christ.  And when Christ becomes your life what freedom, peace, and joy is provided by His grace.  Psalm 16:8-11 reads, "I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. ¹⁰ For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. ¹¹ You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Worship the Creator!

There's been a lot of hoopla on cnn.com about the success of NASA deploying the rover "Curiosity" on Mars. At a mission cost of 2.6 billion, the hefty price tag is impressive.  The rover was eight months hurtling through space before it touched down safely on the Red Planet.  It is amazing what technology, human ingenuity, and some government funding can do.

As amazing as it is to put a man on the moon or a rover on Mars, it is nothing compared to the miracle of human life.  It is far easier for us to land a rover with cameras and robotic arms on Mars and control it remotely than to comprehend or explain how bones form in the womb of the mother (Ecclesiastes 11:5).  Isn't it crazy that the heart of a baby forms BEFORE the brain?  Unless the heart was formed and pumping blood throughout the body, the brain tissues could not live.  Our brains cannot fathom this wisdom.  Maybe the day will come when man will put a rover on Jupiter, but that great feat will still pale in comparison to the miracle of life which God performs hundreds of thousands of times every 24 hours right here on earth.

A microscopic cell from a father and a cell from the mother in the right conditions are all that it required to begin a whole new life, a person in whom God breathes a living soul.  Diving to the bottom of the Mariana Trench is kid stuff compared to this.  God scoffs at nanotechnology:  He is the only true Innovator and Creator.  Worship Him, because by Him all things are created and consist.

Stupid Questions?

I've heard it said:  "There's no such thing as a stupid question."  A variation on this theme is, "The only stupid question is the one never asked."  I disagree with both of these statements.  I once asked a class of teenagers to provide an example of a stupid question.  Without a moment's hesitation, a hand shot up.  "Yes?"  The young man smiled and asked, "If a chicken had lips could it whistle?"  I saw no need to further prove my point.  The intent of those first two statements is often an encouragement for people to ask legitimate questions, even if they feel foolish asking them.  In a classroom it is likely that if one person finds themselves stumped, there are others who could benefit from the answer.  Too many people fear that revealing their ignorance through a question will make them the targets of ridicule and scorn.  Pride does not enjoy making room for humility, and one must humble himself to admit his lack.

I believe there is such a thing as a good question.  Jesus asked a lot of profound questions.  Because good questions exist, it stands to reason that there are questions at the opposite end of the spectrum.  Jesus was asked many leading, loaded, dishonest questions - not because people sought to gain understanding - but for the purpose of catching Jesus in His words so they might accuse Him.  There are honest and dishonest questions.  Jesus always answered honest questions, but He never entertained dishonest ones.  When the disciples of Jesus humbled themselves to ask for an explanation of a parable, He spoke to them plainly.  When the Pharisees asked dishonest questions, Jesus shot back questions of His own and turned the tables on those schemers, exposing their hypocrisy.  We should emulate Christ's example and not feel compelled to give stupid questions asked dishonestly a moment of our time.

The Bible warns Christians to guard against wasting time on foolish questions.  Titus 3:8-9 reads, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. ⁹ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless."  It is also written in 2 Timothy 2:22-25:  "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."  Foolish questions generate strife and division; they are unprofitable and useless.  There is a man who is more concerned about proving his point than by living righteously.  Instead of arguing over senseless hypothetical situations or focusing on flavour over substance, we ought to expend our energies in actually living for God.

If we find ourselves unable to steer clear of disputes, it may be that we are not walking in humility as we ought.  Jesus was humble yet was often the target of calculated debate and attack.  Through great wisdom Jesus was able to diffuse His aggressors and leave them speechless - to the point that no one dared question Him any more.  Let us follow Christ's example of answering dishonest questions with better questions still, and offering gracious instruction to those who legitimately seek understanding.  I do not have all the answers, nor do I need to feel pressure to do so.  1 Peter 3:15 exhorts us:  "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..."  Jesus has the answers, and He is my answer.  He is my Hope!  Instead of attacking others with words, we have a sure Defense and Foundation in Jesus Christ.  Let us be clothed in humility and meekness, knowing that Christ is our Wisdom.

Repent or Perish!

On the news before dinner, a video was shown of a flaming, mangled car which was involved in a tragic accident.  The wreck ended up killing the teenage driver and sending a passenger to hospital in critical condition.   After dinner our family reads a chapter from the Bible and discusses it together.  The words of Jesus which we read were most appropriate and thought provoking.  Luke 13:1-5 reads, "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? ³ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

That girl who perished in that accident was no worse than any other teenager.  She was not killed because of bad karma, having sown the seeds of bad deeds throughout her life.  I never met her, but I know she was no worse than I am.  God causes the rain to fall on the just and unjust alike.  Those Galileans who were killed by Pilate, nor those on whom the tower of Siloam collapsed, were worse than other people.  The fact is, we have all done wrong.  The point of Christ's emphasis is, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."  Not too many of our lives will end in a fiery automobile crash.  Not all of us will be crushed under the weight of crumbling masonry or face capital punishment.  But unless we repent, we will likewise perish.  Jesus spoke these words to compel people to face their own mortality.  Every man will die, and if we die in our sins we face eternal death as a result.  Though it may seem a bit harsh, Jesus was loving to speak this way.  As I think of the flames licking that gutted car, I understand Him clearly.  People are not unlucky to die, and others are not lucky to live.  No matter how long we live on earth, each day is a step towards the inevitable end.

In the evangelism efforts of Christians it is a grave error to divorce the stark truth of the Gospel from the love which made it a reality.  Most of us have witnessed a callous, arrogant, unloving presentation of Gospel truth.  This is an outrage.  But the other extreme is to hold forth the Gospel packaged with such fluff and ribbons that when the gift is opened there is nothing of substance within.  We hold back from sharing the Gospel the way Jesus did because we are afraid of offense.  The result is we pander to those who would refuse to trust in Christ no matter how it is presented, and we do not adequately warn others who would actually respond to the message of salvation through faith in Jesus.  Because we are worried about scaring away the fish we stay away from the water.  If we want to catch fish, we must not only be content to lower the nets:  we need to retrieve them as well.

If we will save souls, there are things which we also must bring up:  our sinful condition, mortality, the judgment that awaits all people after our life is over, and the salvation offered us through Jesus Christ.  If John 3:16 is worthy to commit to memory, so is Luke 13:5.  Unless we repent, we will all likewise perish.  John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Visa Update!

I consider it a great privilege to serve God in Australia.  There is no place in the world I would rather be.  Australia was never in my plans growing up or even well into adulthood, but God had other plans!  He has knit my heart so closely to the people here that I cannot imagine living anywhere else.  Watching God unfold His plan for me and my family has been instrumental in strengthening my faith in His provision, timing, and grace.  The love and support of friends and family from "up above" and "down under" has been such a blessing.

Visas are part of the deal when serving in a foreign field.  We are about a year and a half gone of a two-year visa.  When we obtained the 428 Religious Workers visa through the nomination of Calvary Chapel Sydney, it was a once-renewable path to permanent residency.  When Laura called a couple weeks ago to see when we could begin to submit paperwork for the renewal, I knew something was up.  I could hear from the other room:  "I would like to know when we can renew the 428 visa.  We were told it was a path to residency...it isn't?  Oh.  Ok.  Good to know."  What came out of the call is the 428 is renewable, but no longer a path to residency.  I suppose that was the bad news.  It would have been disappointing had the other news not been so good.  It turns out that 1 July a new immigration began which would allow the church to nominate me as a Minister of Religion right now and with it permanent residency!  "Get it done now," the immigration officer said.  "Why wait?"  I could not agree more with that sentiment!

Immediately I began to investigate the process and initiated our Australian Federal Police checks.  At the moment we are gathering together the necessary documentation for the nomination and application, an involved process to be sure.  We are content in the knowledge that God is in control and want to be faithful to do our part.  Patience is something God has given me many lessons in, and there are more lessons to come.  Please pray for the nomination and application to be sorted in God's time.  Thank you for all the prayers, financial support, and love many have expressed to us.  With this visa process and all things may God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

Consecrate Your Temple

Consecration is a theme I have been meditating upon lately.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines it this way:  "The act or ceremony of separating from a common to a sacred use, or of devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of God, by certain rites or solemnities.  Consecration does not make a person or thing really holy, but declares it to be sacred, that is, devoted to God or to divine service; as the consecration of the priests among the Israelites; the consecration of the vessels used in the temple."  The priests, articles of the temple, and even the temple itself were all consecrated for the worship and service of God.  But just because something has been consecrated to God does not mean it was always used for its intended purpose.

When we think of the temple, it's likely we do so with a sense of awe and reverence.  Think of that magnificent temple Solomon built with the doors covered in gold, awesome brass pillars, the solid gold lampstand and the altar of incense.  Imagine you are a priest, walking through the doors into the holy place, lifting your eyes to see the massive cherubim, smelling the fragrance of the incense, and before you stands the curtain separating the Holy of Holies where the Spirit of God dwells above the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.  And now imagine that it's been a really slow day because of rainy weather and quite some time has passed since any have visited the temple.  A bit bored, you and other priests decide close the doors of the temple and set up a indoor soccer game using the table of showbread and altar of incense as one goal, and the curtain of the Holy of Holies for the other goal!  Pretty ridiculous, right?  It seems an utterly ludicrous suggestion.  It would be plain wrong to degrade a holy, consecrated place to the level of a field of sport.

The temple was consecrated to God, yet throughout scripture we read of many occasions when it was profaned, neglected, and polluted.  While the tabernacle was set up in Shiloh, Eli's wicked sons Hophni and Phinehas had sex with women who assembled there (1 Samuel 2:22).  Eli allowed the lamp to burn out instead of keeping it lit perpetually.  The sons of Athaliah broke up the temple and dedicated God's things to Baal (2 Chron. 24:7), a false god.  Josiah was a good king who desired to fix the leaks and breaches of God's house.  When they began to repair the temple, the priest Hilkiah found the book of the law which had been lost (2 Kings 22:8).  Imagine losing God's Word in the temple!  The wicked king Ahaz polluted the temple, barred the doors, and set up altars to idols throughout the city (2 Chron. 28:24).  It took eight days for the Levites to carry all the rubbish that was left in the holy place to the brook Kidron (2 Chron. 29:17).  And what of Eliashib the priest in the days of Nehemiah, who allowed Tobiah, the avowed enemy of God and Israel, to live in a room inside the temple (Neh. 13:4-7)?  Nehemiah was furious and threw out all Tobiah's stuff.  When Jesus came to Jerusalem, He made a whip of cords and overturned the tables of the money changers, driving them and their wares outside of the temple courts (John 2:13-16).  Instead of regarding God's house as a house of prayer, they made it a den of thieves.

For those who reverence and love God, it is difficult to grasp how the temple of God consecrated for worship would be misused, polluted, and profaned.  As human beings, it is easier for us to reverence a physical place as holy ground rather than temples not made with hands.  There is the very real potential that the temple of the Holy Spirit can be profaned even in our day.  Do you know that born again Christians are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, having become His consecrated dwelling place?  Being holy does not mean that we need to walk in slow motion, call people "my son," or adopt mechanical hand motions:  it means that we have been consecrated for use by God, having been employed in his service.  We are to separate ourselves from sin and walk in righteousness.  The worship and service of God is our sole purpose in all we think, say, and do.  It is not our primary purpose:  it is our only purpose.  Through the Gospel and faith in Jesus Christ we have chosen to be purchased as voluntary slaves with Christ's blood.  We ought to be about God's business, for a servant is not above his Master.

Does this mean we can't play soccer?  No.  Whatever we do, we should do it heartily as unto the LORD.  But we ought to recognise we have been bought with a price and our life is not to be lived for ourselves any more.  No game, activity, or earthly thing may be allowed to compete with our allegiance and affections towards God.  What we love the most is evident by how we spend our time - or how we wish we could spend our time.  God has freely given us everything to enjoy, and we ought to glorify God in all we do.  Instead of living to please the dictates of ourselves, we are to walk in obedience to God.  We are to put off the old man, be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and put on the new man.  We ought to faithfully read the word instead of neglecting it.  We ought to keep the doors of our heart open to Christ instead of barring them.  We need to keep our light burning bright like a city on a hill that cannot be hid.  We must ruthlessly destroy any idols that exist in our lives and pursue the worship of God alone.  All sin is to be put off and no good deed for God left undone.  Paul sums it up well in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:  "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

When God looks at you, He is not focused on the image you see in the mirror:  He looks upon your heart.  In modern vernacular, the concept of "my body is a temple" is limited to the physical.  Your muscles or lack thereof is of little concern to Him.  God is not in awe of ornate buildings constructed for the purpose of worship, nor is He impressed with our physical bodies.  Isaiah 66:1-2 reads, "Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? ² For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."  May we humble ourselves before the LORD, being consecrated for His use not in word only, but in deed and truth.  Let us wash our hands and cleanse our hearts from sin so we will experience the communion and fellowship God freely offers by His grace.  The curtain has been torn.  Put away the soccer ball and bow before your Maker, man!  There's nothing boring about that!

Hitting the Mark?

No matter how harshly we judges ourselves, I am confident we human beings are worse than our lowest estimation.  The best men may see themselves in the worst light, but we are not always at our best.  I am actually grateful for the amazing way the challenges of life draw out negative qualities and bring to the surface my obvious dearth of character.  When all is going according to plan, we might convince ourselves of our own goodness.  But what about when we are running late?  It is when I am running late all the slowest, most clueless drivers seems to abound.  Hmmm.  How about when you lose something?  Or when you pick the wrong queue again at the shops?  I can't even count the many times I had several queues to choose from and I chose the one with the sluggish trainee who has to call for price checks or assistance.  Because all the other lines seems to evaporate before they form, I would decide to change to another line, only to have the manager to be called to approve the purchase in front of me!  The people who were behind me in the previous line are now long gone while I stew there, believing that death itself could not be so miserable.

Even as the world is perfectly suited to support human, animal, and plant life, God has so arranged our lives to provide ample proof that we are sinners who desperately need a Saviour.  Time pressure, delays, sickness, pain, relationships, driving, waiting, and even shopping all combine together as a proving ground of our character.  I have come to the conclusion to which Paul arrived, that in my flesh no good things dwells.  Any praiseworthy or honorable traits which exist in me I only have received by the grace of God.  All the time God reveals areas of weakness in my life only His strength can bring victory.  Proverbs 20:6 says that most men will proclaim their own goodness, but Christians are not to be like most men.  Instead of taking the credit or the glory for any good work, we must extol and praise the name of Jesus as the source of any goodness found within us.

So the next time you are frustrated, lose your temper, or react harshly to your spouse or children, take heart.  God is gracious to allow us to fail so we might recognise our sin, apologise to those we have wronged, repent, and commit ourselves to God wholeheartedly again.  A small adjustment of the bow is the difference between hitting the target and missing it altogether, and small improvements in our attitudes and actions brings God more glory.  May we live a life that hits the mark!

Have You Been Forgiven Much?

"Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." 

Luke 7:47

It is no surprise to us that when judged according to God's perfect standard all are proved sinners.  God does not judge using a curve:  we are either righteous or unrighteous, holy or polluted, pass or fail.  There are two ways to gain entrance to heaven.  The first is to be born without a sin nature and remain perfect in thought, word, attitude, and deed without a single stumble, obeying the Law given to Moses in every tiny detail.  This means avoidance of all sin, offering the appropriate sacrifices at the right times, eating foods deemed clean under the Law, keeping the Passover, and on and on.  This is certainly impossible for everyone since we all have a human dad, the Temple is no longer standing, and we have all made countless mistakes!  The other way (and only way!) to be declared innocent by God is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ by grace through faith.  When we repent of our sin and trust in Jesus for salvation, we are forgiven, our sins are atoned for by the blood of Christ, we are proclaimed righteous, and the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. 

Jesus, however, was conceived in a virgin by the Holy Spirit.  He kept the Law and was flawless in word and deed.  His sacrifice on the cross was therefore acceptable before God, being the Lamb of God without spot, pure and holy unto God.  He once for all died for the sins of the world so whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  A Christian is someone who has recognised their doomed condition due to sin and has owned it for the sake of forsaking it.  A self-righteous person is convinced that because there are people who appear to be greater sinners than him, repentance is not necessary.  He is proud, refusing to admit his need to be forgiven and reconciled to God - if there indeed is a God!

Prior in the Luke passage, Jesus had been invited to eat with a self-righteous Pharisee, a teacher of the Law.  A woman who was known as a great sinner came to Jesus, anointed Him with fragrant oil, wept as she wiped his feet with her hair and kissed them.  The Pharisee was indignant and judged Christ negatively, questioning the permissive response of Jesus:  "If this man is truly a great prophet, He would never allow such a sinful woman to touch Him."  Jesus, knowing the self-righteous and judgmental heart of Simon the Pharisee, called him out in front of all the dinner guests.  Simon didn't see himself as a great sinner.  Because of that, he had been only forgiven little.  The result of his lack of repentance was little love for God.  He had not been forgiven much, so he loved little. 

The result of repentance is an increase of love for God.  Having grown up in the church, I know a lot of "churchy" people.  I have seen it to be true that many who grow up in the church and live a "clean life" by worldly standards lack the repentance of those who have been great sinners.  I used to be one of these people.  All people are great sinners, but self-righteous folks don't see their own sin properly.  Because they do not deem their sin as grievous, they neglect and resist repentance - thinking it is a sign of spiritual weakness - or fearful of judgment by other self-righteous church people.  The end result?  Little love for God.  This lack of love results in little labour for God and judgments of others.  A lack of repentance brings a man to be a Pharisee who invites Jesus over for a meal but refuses to make the sacrifices great sinners freely perform with great joy.

If you love someone, you will do something about it.  Proverbs 27:5 reads, "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed."  Because I love you, dear reader, here is a gentle rebuke:  if you do not do much for Christ it is because you do not love much.  If you do not love much because you have not been forgiven much.  If you have been forgiven much you will love much.  Much love results in much labour and sacrifice for God's glory.  Love for God will compel you to give up what is most precious to you for Him without hesitation.  Instead of being depressed about our faults, let us confess them and repent, agreeing with God once and for all.  The more our sins are forgiven the more reason we have to love Jesus and remain loyal to Him.  Our sins are great, but our God is greater.  May our love for Him increase so all will know we are Christians by our love!