Spend Time With Jesus

I was reminded recently of when a friend invited me to go to the San Diego Padres spring training in Yuma, Arizona.  One thing I remember about the hotel we stayed at was how adjoining rooms were connected by two doors.  As we scoped out the room upon arrival, we were surprised how a door led to another door.  If both doors were open guests could pass freely from one room to another.  Because we didn't know who was on the other side of the door the concept was a bit creepy, but we agreed it would be awesome if your neighbour was your best friend.

When a person repents and trusts in Jesus, we have unlimited access to the presence of God.  In fact, we are invited into the throne room of God and can have an audience with God at all times.  Hebrews 4:14-16 says of our risen LORD Jesus, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

In a spiritual sense we have been seated in the heavenlies with Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:6).  Prayer opens the way to God's presence.  It is like we share adjoining rooms in the same heavenly mansion and the door opened from Christ's side is always swung wide open.  He can knock on our door when we close it, but we can never knock on His because He is always ready and happy to receive visitors.  He is the Door and also the Way, Truth, and Life.  It is we who close our door which leads to His room when we just want to watch TV and are not interested to spend time together.  It is we who become self-conscious and shut our door so we don't bother him.  And when we are troubled we forget that right next door we have a loving Saviour who is the answer to our problems, has guidance for us in our dilemmas, and is wisdom for us.  We are guilty of long periods of silence and isolation from the very one who saved us and desires to share eternity with us.

Keep the door open, believer.  And when a breeze from this world swings that door shut and you hear His familiar knock, open the door to Jesus quickly so you might enjoy uninterrupted time with Jesus once again.  He loves you and delights to hear your voice.

No Regret in Repentance

Paul was a man who seized every opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It didn't matter if he was in a synagogue, the marketplace, Mars Hill with philosophers, or to women washing clothes down by a river.  He was bold to proclaim of God's judgment and the salvation through Jesus even before rulers.  After being arrested and imprisoned Acts 24:24-25 tells us, "And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. ²⁵ Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

Felix trembled as Paul reasoned with him concerning righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.  Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit has been sent to convict men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11), and Felix squirmed as judgment according to the Law was brought to bear upon his conscience.  Yet instead of confessing his sin and repenting, Felix decided to put it off for another day.  He was convicted by his sin but there was no evidence of sorrow.  According to the verses following, Felix never found a convenient time to call Paul before him.  Two years passed and Felix was transferred.  For our flesh humility, public confession, and repentance is never convenient.  It has the appeal of a cold bath to a water-phobic feline.  Repentance is a necessary step to be forgiven by God and spared eternal wrath.  Those who put off repentance long enough will have all eternity in hell to regret their procrastination.

The righteous demands of the Law and the sure judgment for sin are key aspects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Peter, Paul, and others in the New Testament wove these themes into their addresses to unbelievers.  After declaring how God was not according to man's design, Paul said in Acts 17:30-31, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹  because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." ³²  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter."  The sure promise of judgment by the Almighty God is not enough to persuade people to repent, but happy are those who sorrow for their sin and do repent.  There is no regret for those who repent and choose God's way.

To say you will respond to the demands of the Gospel in a convenient time is a promise to never do so.  Praise the LORD for sending the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment so we will never find rest or lasting comfort whilst in sin.  Unbelievers need forgiveness and so do Christians, for sin separates us from God.  Admission of sin and repentance are the first steps to putting us back on good terms with our Heavenly Father, and there is nothing to regret when God regains His rightful place in our lives as Saviour and LORD.

Revival and All Your Need

When I first visited Australia in 2009, some I spoke to lamented there had never been a spiritual revival in Australia.  Since then I have seen that claim was in error.  In fact I am reading a book now by J. Edwin Orr which speaks of revival and the move of the Holy Spirit in New Zealand and Australia.  We cannot muster up revival from our best efforts any more than we can make gale-force winds blow by flapping our arms.  Yet there is a connection between revival and willing and receptive hearts which prayerfully seek the LORD.  There are certainly hindrances to revival and we must be willing to admit them and repent to receive God's blessing.  J. Edwin Orr wrote of his experiences with a reluctant congregation in New Zealand:

The way to revival was made very clear - prayer and removal of hindrances.  The main object of the address was to make possible the prayer:  "Lord, send a mighty revival to Wellington, but begin first in me."  But I felt that too many people gathered there wanted an easy revival.  Everywhere one finds that type of Christian who thinks that revival is dependent on the recitation of a hocus-pocus magic formula.  This type was in that meeting, and when the necessity of confession was set forth, pride forbade public renunciation of sin.  And so many, in spirit if not in deed, prayed:  "O Lord, send a revival, but begin in somebody else first and convince me that it is possible"  We went home rejoicing that some had the courage of their convictions to get right with God:  but we were equally conscious that the Holy Spirit had been deeply grieved at the hardness of heart of the majority.  The organisers were all right, I think, and I felt conscious of no hindrance in the messenger - responsibility lay with the people. (Orr, J. Edwin. All Your Need: 10,000 Miles of Miracle through Australia and New Zealand. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1936. Print. page 38) 

One common aspect of the revivals Orr spoke of had woven throughout them the seeking of the LORD in prayer and meetings, the public confession of secret sin, and the joyful praise of the LORD.  I desire not only to read about revival or in some vicarious manner rejoice in a work God did long ago, but to experience a move of God's Spirit today.  Like J. Edwin Orr said, I agree it is fitting I would fervently desire a personal revival in my own life instead of being content to see revival.  I am not content to be a "third wheel" when it comes to God.  I believe many Christians fit into the "third wheel" category.  They see others walking with Jesus and how they have heard and are led by God.  These "third wheel" Christians wistfully wish they too could know God in a deeper way but are unwilling to remove hindrances from their lives.  I am convinced of this:  if I can experience a closer relationship with God than I must.  I am not content to see others leaping ahead spiritually while I shuffle slowly back:  if I desire revival I must want it for myself and be willing to pay whatever price is required.  I must lay down my life as a living sacrifice before the Lamb of God without demand of a return.  I must humble myself.  I must pray and align myself with God's Word.

Are you interested in seeing revival or are you hungry for God to revive you?  We must all recognise we have resisted and grieved the Holy Spirit through our unbelief, idolatry, and rebellion.  We cannot pray for revival in our church, city, or nation if we are not willing to seek God ourselves.  It is time to seek the LORD and turn away His judgment through humble repentance.  Psalm 85:6-8 is fitting for us to pray ourselves:  "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? ⁷  Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation. ⁸  I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly."  It is God's will to revive His people.  Don't be on the outside looking in when God brings revival.  Today is the day!

Don't Fall for Formulas

Human beings naturally seek to benefit ourselves.  We are interested in results.  If we notice someone has lost weight or is packing on muscle, we are keen to know how.  There is often a formulaic approach to action we take or the method we choose because we hope it will work for us as it has worked for others.  Personal trainers and nutritionists are employed to aid us in our struggle for fitness.  Conferences are attended to learn from professionals how to maximise our net worth.  Routine is embraced so we too might have the benefits others boast of.  We read books based on the recommendation of friends and take advice from total strangers who post videos or blogs on the internet to help our cause.  We imagine there must be a formula to obtain our desired end:  if I do the right things, I can have the results I want.

We can do the same thing when it comes to Christian ministry.  A true principle of scripture can be distorted into a self-centred formula.  Let me preface my observations by saying not all people do this.  My aim is to suggest there is a danger we could do this and possibly we currently do this without even recognising it.  I know it can be done because I have done it, and may God continue to purify my motives.  As we see God in truth - His holiness, righteousness, goodness, grace, and love - in the light of His reality we begin to see we are rotten to the core.  We have prayed selfishly.  We wanted glory and recognition for ourselves instead of offering God sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving.  We have played the hypocrite, saying, "Yes LORD, but let me first..."

It's exciting to read about the Holy Spirit moving through people in the the book of Acts.  After the Holy Spirit came upon the believers on Pentecost, their lives were transformed for the better.  Through their witness the world was turned upside down and many came to faith in Jesus.  What boldness and power they displayed as those believers proclaimed Christ and followed Him rejoicing in the face of trials and persecution.  There was unity, generosity, gladness, and thousands were added to the church in a day.  But this was no passing fad as the last sentence of Acts 2:47 says:  "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."  That sounds pretty good, right?  What genuine follower of Jesus Christ doesn't desire to see people come to faith in Jesus?  Then we start looking around and realise in our gatherings there aren't people being saved.  Our evangelism efforts seem to lack results.  Hopefully this makes us do some soul searching.  But most of the time it is easier to point out faults in others or try to find a formula which will give us this result.

It is possible some have found their "formula" in a statement which occurs earlier in Acts 2:42:  "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."  We are always looking for something to do so we might benefit.  We can think, "It worked for the early church, and this should work for us.  If we follow the Acts 2:42 pattern as a lifestyle, we will have the same good results - that the LORD would add daily to the church those who are being saved."  Now this is certainly a good pattern of life.  But the LORD adding daily to the church was not the effect of continuing in doctrine, fellowship, communion (koinonia), or prayers:  it was by the grace of God for His glory.  This pattern of fellowship was the effect - not of a four-step plan - but because of the indwelling Holy Spirit in God's people.  The Holy Spirit was the cause of spiritual regeneration in believers and He consequently empowered them to live for God in a fallen world.  It would be a good thing to see Acts 2:42 in a church because it is evidence of the Holy Spirit moving in God's people - not as a program or a formula for "church growth."

The same mistake can be made concerning those who met together in one accord on the Day of Pentecost.  We can gather groups together, hoping for the Spirit to manifest Himself in power.  We want tongues of fire; we want to feel the place shaken!  But remember, the disciples tarried in Jerusalem in obedience to the direct command of Christ.  It wasn't their idea or plan.  There was no formula besides simple obedience to God and submission to His will.  We can push the prime button on our lawn mowers and pull the rope to start the engine until our hands blister, but without fuel the engine will never start.  The living sacrifice of a believer purified in the blood of Jesus is the only acceptable fuel.  Without the Holy Spirit the work will never be done.  Reading the Bible more and praying more will never aid you in achieving your plans but are means to God's ends.  These disciplines can be evidence of the Spirit within you or they can be empty exercises.  Spiritually we are like pneumatic tools which need the power of the Spirit (pneuma) to function and accomplish any purpose for which we are designed.  One soul in submission to God is of greater use for His kingdom than all the formulas or programs man can muster.

Don't fall for formulas.  It is only in the full surrender of a life before God, a soul who falls before God in humble faith and obedience, who will receive and in reality experience the abundant life God has provided for all who seek Him.

To Know War

"Now these are the nations which the LORD left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan [2] (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it)..."

Judges 3:1-2

Last night at Calvary Chapel Santee the message began with these verses.  They immediately had an impact on me:  God wants His people to know how to fight, how to bravely contend.  God did not want His people ignorant of war when there was a war to be fought.  Though God promised to fight battles for His people, His people who were oppressed and subdued before their enemies needed to learn to fight.  God wanted His people to have practical experience of war and be good at it, to be courageous in battle, men who would surrender only to Him.

As Christians we are taught we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, rulers of wickedness in heavenly places.  Some of us have never known war in the sense of hand-to-hand conflict, but God will see to it there remains a potential for bondage in our lives.  We are victorious through Christ and He is our peace, but God wants us to be a people who have done battle with our flesh and overcome by His grace.  He wants people who can follow His orders, who can suffer hardship without growing faint, and those who are willing to toil night and day for freedom.

You might ask, "If God has the victory and He will fight our battles, why should we know war?  What is the point of us being experienced in battle?"  Verse 4 tells us why God allowed many nations who opposed His people to remain in the land:  "And they were left, that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses."  So why does God allow conflict, even oppressive circumstances in our lives?  God uses these "enemies" to become blessings, opportunities for growth and maturity embraced through obedience and faith in God.

So what do you know of war?  Let us relish the lessons God teaches us so our hands might be made strong to fight, to go out and come in before our King and Saviour Jesus Christ.  When we walk in His strength our power will not be diminished, nor will we be weak or weary.

Clean Those Gutters!

In Sydney the chill of winter is in the air.  The trees in my front yard have changed colours and been dropping in abundance.  During recent downpours there were times when I noticed the gutters overflowed.  After the storm was over, I could see from the ground how the storm had heaped golden and rusty leaves above the edge of the gutters.  So last weekend I grabbed a ladder, a bucket, and a garden shovel to clear the gutters.  This simple chore provided a useful object lesson from the LORD as well as free-flowing guttering.

I don't know about you, but when it comes to cleaning gutters I typically grab the big stuff and call it good.  But this time I decided a more thorough clean was warranted because it had been months since I had cleared them.  I found dry leaves on top and black, rotting leaves underneath.  Once the leaves have compacted into the gutter they act as a filter which traps sediment.  As I used my hands and the shovel to scrape out the leaves, I even found bugs in the filth.  Then I did something I never bothered to do before:  grab the hose and actually wash the mud away.  This allowed me to check the fall of the gutters and ensure optimum performance.

As I filled the gutters with water, I noticed a low spot which collected dirt.  I was surprised how much spraying it took to wash the mud away.  Then the LORD impressed something upon me.  When it comes to repentance, typically I (and I imagine others too) do the equivalent of grabbing a few handfuls of leaves out of the gutters of our minds and hearts and call it good.  We focus on what can be easily seen and don't bother to wash them down completely because hey, more leaves are going to fall, right?  Partial cleaning looks good from the ground, but the rotten leaves can still impede the flow of water and choke the downspout to a muddy trickle.  Rain which falls pure is quickly fouled, soaks the eaves, and leads to dry rot because it has not found the designed outlet.

In the life of a Christian, the pure rain is a picture of the Holy Spirit.  The gutter represents our hearts and minds.  The water which flows out the downspout is a picture of our words, deeds, attitude, and lifestyle.  The leaves and sediment are pollutants, sins which prevent the clean, unimpeded flow of the Holy Spirit through our lives.  Partial repentance hinders practical cleansing because the rotten leaves and sediment remains packed tight.  The lesson God showed me is it is not enough to deal with the symptoms of sin when we have not repented of the underlying sins in our hearts and minds.  Today can be the day of salvation and revival for us, but if we do not repent and have a complete clean our downpipe will remain a muddy trickle instead of a clean torrent of Living Water.

Psalm 24:3-5 reads, "Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? ⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. ⁵ He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."  The Holy Spirit floods our hearts when we are born again after we repent and trust in Jesus.  Because the leaves continue to fall we need to take the maintenance of our hearts and minds seriously.  The flow of the Spirit will show us where our hearts are out of alignment with God's Word and will.  Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart will receive all the blessings God has provided by His grace.  Those who have been washed with the blood of the Lamb should have sanctified lives which reflect His purity.  I have heard people say we need to "keep short accounts with God," and in a sense this means "Keep your gutters clean!"

Humbling The Proud

Only God can change the hearts of people, but that doesn't stop people from trying.  Some feel it is their hilarious duty to fire verbal barbs at others and after potentially embarrassing or wounding their target they say with a smile, "I was only joking!' or "Just keeping you humble!"  I have learned there are only two who are capable to humble me:  God and myself.  The scriptures say that God casts down the proud and gives grace to the humble.  It also says to believers, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and He shall lift you up." (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5-7)  For any who take it upon yourself the task of keeping others humble, good luck.  All the luck in the world will do you no good.  You will discover your most vigilant efforts are futile and in doing so you trespass on God's sovereign territory.

The other night I finished reading the book of Job.  It was something God said towards the end of the book which made me consider again the idea of humbling others.  In God's address to Job, He bombarded him with questions he could not answer.  He also challenged him to do things which are impossible for men.  He said in Job 40:11-14, "Disperse the rage of your wrath; look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. ¹² Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; tread down the wicked in their place. ¹³ Hide them in the dust together, bind their faces in hidden darkness. ¹⁴ Then I will also confess to you that your own right hand can save you."  Did you catch that?  God said, "Job, if you are able to humble the proud, you are able to save yourself."  Obviously Job was unable to save himself from his horrendous circumstances because there he sat in pain:  crying out to God in agony, scraping his diseased skin with a potsherd, lamenting the loss of his children, and arguing with his so-called friends.  Job knew without the favour of God he was doomed forever, and that is why he offered sacrifices not only for himself but for his children too.  God's words make it crystal clear:  the one who is able to humble the proud is also able to save himself.

Speaking for myself, I (like Job!) cannot save myself from sin, death, or hell.  Based on God's Word since I cannot save myself I obviously cannot humble the proud.  No amount of public humiliation or snide comments directed at me or towards others can accomplish this.  All human beings face the challenge of dealing with self:  selfishness, preoccupation with self, self-pity, and self-exaltation.  Only by being born again through faith in Jesus can we truly have victory over self and live in the way which pleases God.  If I can't save myself, I shouldn't take it upon myself to humble others.  I am called to humble myself, and with God's help I can.

Be Doing Good

The last time I visited Israel our guide said much that stayed with me.  One comment in particular stuck out about the differences between the religion of Judaism and Christianity.  He was a secular Israeli and made an observation I never considered before.  "Judaism is not a missionary religion like Christianity," he said.  "Christians want everyone to believe in Jesus, but the Orthodox Jews are not interested to have people join them.  They try to make following their religion as difficult as possible.  They don't want you."  While I can't say for certain he was correct concerning Orthodox Jews, he was accurate in his assessment of Christians.  Jesus has called us to be His witnesses and to go throughout the world, making disciples of all nations.  We, like our heavenly Father, desire all would repent and come to knowledge of the truth.

Our zeal to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ is often tempered with not knowing what to say.  One can never know how people will respond to the truth of scripture because of their background, perspective, or bias.  We would love to discover a "silver bullet" statement or point which can shoot unbelief dead at once.  But there is no silver bullet.  Salvation of souls is not through facts alone, techniques, a formula, or winning a debate.  The only way a mind that is already made up can be reached is through the power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of God's Word, and God's love in the life of a Christian.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, than love is worth a thousand pictures.  Love is active to do good for others, even when it is a costly sacrifice.  Facts might engage willing minds, but love touches the soul.

Our words are important, but it does not benefit to engage in useless debates with minds opposed to God.  Peter in his epistle pointed out the way to make a far greater impact by doing, not just speaking.  Peter 2:15-16 reads, "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- ¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God."  Good doctrine must be accompanied by good deeds.  People have a lot of negative things to say about hypocritical or judgmental Christians, and rightly so.  But when the lives of Christians are above reproach and do good it silences criticism.  Men are left to ponder the reality of Jesus Christ in the life of a Christian, something clearly supernatural and not of this world.  Instead of engaging sceptics through arguments, it is God's will that by doing good they would be silenced.  And then they might even want to listen!

A House of Sacrifice and Prayer

It is not wrong to be amazed when God miraculously answers prayer.  We serve an amazing God who does amazing things!  In Acts 12 it was unbelievable when Peter, who had been imprisoned under heavy guard, was led out of prison by an angel.  People who had been praying continuously for his release did not immediately believe Rhoda it was actually him knocking at the door.  It didn't mean they lacked faith in God.  More likely their disbelief revealed God did not answer their prayer in the way or timing they expected.

People talk about the "power of prayer," but belief there is power in my praying is misplaced.  All power belongs to the Almighty God who answers the prayers of faith in His time and way.  Christians are to pray - not because it is effective or it works - but because God commands us to pray.  God works in those who pray and works in response to their prayers.  It may seem a trite distinction but it is an important one.  If we only pray because we hope to receive something from God our motive is self-centred.  We can reduce following Jesus to a utilitarian religion where God's goodness and blessing hinges on our efforts.  There are blessings God gives to the obedient but it is all of grace.  But when we pray in obedience to God's command, according to His leading and will, we can expect an answer.  We don't pray just so we can have our answer but in response to what God has already spoken.

After King Solomon prayed at the dedication of the temple, 2 Chronicles 7:12 says, "Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice."  The prophet also spoke of the temple and those who love and serve God in Isaiah 56:7:  "...even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."  These verses describe the Temple as a house of sacrifice and prayer for all nations.  Paul brings home the significance of these purposes for Christian in 1 Corinthians 3:16:  "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"  Since Christians are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are called to present our bodies joyfully as living sacrifices before God.  Another primary purpose of Christians is to pray by making supplications, intercessions, and to give thanks for all men (1 Timothy 2:1-8).  Even as Solomon's temple was adorned with gold, panels of cedar, and precious stones, so prayer is the holy material which adds value and beauty to our lives.

We do not pray because "it works" but because God works.  If God works, we ought to labour in prayers according to Christ's example.  Like the savour of sacrifices rising from the altar, the prayers of faith of all saints rise up as sweet-smelling incense before God's throne of grace.  The prayers and alms of the centurion Cornelius came up before God as a memorial.  Wouldn't you be pleased for God to remember your words and answer them?  Philippians 4:6-7 states, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  We shouldn't pray in the hopes of only obtaining something from God, but so something good will come out of us by His grace.  Blessed are those who labour in prayers day and night, for God delights to hear our voice.  Have your prayers come up as a memorial before God today?

Avoid Foolish Disputes

During the morning prayer meeting, these verses were read from 2 Timothy 2:23-26:  "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."  When we hold to a biblical position in this world, strife is something we Christians can count on.  Yet we are not called to lash out or squabble with people who do not agree with us.  They might mock or slander us, but we must exhibit self-control and remain gentle.  God has taught us the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God (James 1:20).

Men who are humble before God do not need to shout to be heard, for their meek conduct speaks volumes.  Jesus is the epitome of a man who was gentle, patiently taught, and corrected the errors of those who challenged Him.  When His shouting accusers sprayed lies before Pilate and Herod, He opened not His mouth.  It is nigh impossible for a man in the heat of betrayal and false accusation to remain silent, but Jesus had already committed His life into the hands of His Father in heaven.  He knew those who accused Him did not realise what they were doing.  They had been deceived by lies.  They had been taken captive by the devil to to his will.  Judas, one of Christ's disciples, had been filled with Satan himself!  Jesus remained compassionate towards His enemies even after being nailed to the cross and cried out, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

The thing which struck me from the passage in 2 Timothy is we can think as Christians because we are stewards of the truth of God it is up to us to bring people to their senses.  When we are met with opposition or our efforts do not seem to be achieving our desired effect we might increase our volume of speaking or intensity of argument.  Instead of patiently defending the truth we can start attacking others in an unloving manner.  If all who have chosen this course would honestly consider the results of this approach, all would agree it tends to generate much strife but very few - if any - transformed hearts.  Our role as Christians is to speak the truth in love from God's Word and to pray for people to come to their senses.  We aren't to look for fights or to insist on having the last word.  Beat people over the head with your Bible if you wish, but it will never manage to sow God's truth in a receptive heart.  There are two general responses to an attack:  fight or flight.  Either way the defenses are immediately up and we hinder Christ's cause to bring them to their senses and escape the snare of the devil.  It was not his loving father or self-righteous brother which caused the Prodigal Son to see the folly of his ways.  After being left alone with the pigs for awhile the man started listening to the sensible reasoning of his own conscience.  His awful situation brought him to his senses.

God has given every human being a conscience and they are in all sorts of conditions.  The Bible refers to a good conscience, a seared conscience, evil conscience, and a pure conscience.  Regardless of the state of a person's conscience, the Bible is the appropriate tool to cut to the heart of the matter.  The way we wield the Sword of the Spirit - God's Word - is very important.  Jesus told His followers to gird on their swords on the night He was betrayed.  When Jesus and His disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane and saw men coming to arrest Jesus Luke 22:49-51 reads, "When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹ But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him."  Peter had the sword and felt threatened.  He asked a question of Jesus but never waited around for the answer!  He started swinging the sword and a man was horribly maimed from the attack.  When we handle the Word of God like this we can unnecessarily wound others.  Praise God Jesus is a healer of wounded souls, but let us not be guilty of generating strife through useless quarrels.

A New Thing

Sheep and human beings share the same trait of having a long memory concerning negative experiences.  Past experiences have a way of colouring the way we see the world and others.  Negative bias is easily confirmed due to this naturally skewed perspective, yet we remain self-assured we see clearly.  Our failures and past struggles hinder us from moving forward and burden us with a preoccupation with self and the assumption others judge us as severely as we currently judge them.  How can we even find the way forward in this state?  The cure for all these ills is found when a person fixes their eyes on Jesus Christ in faith, the One who promises to make all things new.  Before our risen LORD we must each confess our sins and repent saying, "Woe is me!  I am undone!"  He is the One who heals the broken hearted and sets captives free.  No longer need we be saddled with the weight or our inferiority or the expectations of others because we have been made new creations through faith in Jesus.

To a people who would experience war, destruction, and decades of captivity, God said through the prophet in Isaiah 43:18-21, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. ¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ²⁰ The beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. ²¹ This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise."  How easy it is for us to immerse ourselves in thinking of the former things:  regret with what has happened, obsessing over our failures, fantasising if things had gone differently, and drowning in self-pity.  After the Exodus the children of Israel longed for the leeks and onions of Egypt rather than the milk and honey in the Land of Promise!  This is the natural tendency of all people, thinking the best is somehow behind us when the Spirit of God leads us on.

God said He would do a new thing, making a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  How many people have been lost in a wilderness and frantically searched for a trail, a path to lead them home!  Countless people have perished in the fierce heat of a desert, hallucinating over oasis after oasis which proved to be nothing more than cruel mirages!  God said the jackals and ostriches would honour God for His provision, and these are not animals known for their brilliance.  Sad, isn't it, that beasts without understanding could honour God more than people He has delivered from death ?  Yet God's grace is shown because He choose us sinners - though at times brute beasts acknowledge and trust Him more than His own redeemed.  God be praised that despite our weakness, that we are blind, miserable, poor, and naked, He opens our eyes to see Him, grants us heavenly riches, places clean apparel on us, and looses our tongues to declare His praise.

Will you take God's exhortation on board?  Do you believe the Word of God, that He will do a new thing and now it shall spring forth?  He is able to make roads through the wilderness and bring refreshing rivers in the desert.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  In every regenerated heart Jesus Christ is enthroned the heavenly reality proclaimed in Revelation 21:5 rings true:  "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."  We are eyewitnesses of these things.  Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus and trust, not just try.  Will you declare God's praise?

Broken Vows

When God says something, He can be counted on to keep His word.  Man qualifies his promises with swearing and oaths, but not God.  His Word is true.  Because God is righteous His deeds, character, and word are always in perfect alignment.  Men will someday answer for their own words and will even be judged by them:  every idle word will be accounted for and brought under God's judgment (Matthew 12:26).  Numbers 30 is an entire chapter in the Law of Moses establishing the fact that every vow a man or woman makes is important before God.  If a man made a vow to the LORD, God will hold him responsible to do all he has said.

How many times as a Christian have we said we were going to do something, followed through best as we could, but ultimately fell short of what we said?  We don't have to "cross our heart or hope to die, stick a needle in our eye" to make words spoken in secret binding before God.  I was reminded of this yesterday when I read from J. Edwin Orr's book Full Surrender.  "A man's word is his bond" it has been said, and this rings true concerning the words which come from a man in God's hearing - and He hears all.  The chapter I read made me think:  how many times had I spoken something and not followed through?  Has my relationship with God been hindered because of ignored vows, promises which were proved empty over time, words I simply forgot?  Better to confess my sin and fall on the mercies of God now and be restored than to answer for idle words in the future with negative eternal consequences.

Consider the closing thoughts of Dr. Orr in the first chapter:

"Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?"  Not all prayer is acceptable.  If one regards iniquity in one's heart, the Lord will not hear him.  A broken vow is a sin of omission.  It is also the commission of an affront to God.  It must be confessed as sin before fellowship is completely restored. Otherwise, the discipline of God, the chastening of the Lord, begins to operate.  It is necessary for the Lord to bring our schemes to nought in order that we may not waste time and effort in building of wood, hay and stubble.  Our Friend becomes our opponent, not our enemy, and says "check" to each move until, checkmated, we begin again with Him.

What then are the vows that Christians customarily make to God in times of blessing and on special occasions?  More time in prayer, more intercession for others, more devotional reading, more study, more personal witness, tithing of talents and money, better example to others, patience with children, personal purity, self-denial - there are the vows that are made in watch-night services, prayer meetings, evangelistic campaigns, deeper life conventions, missionary meetings, and the like.  These vows go unfulfilled.  Part of the price is kept back.

Until broken vows are mended, it is difficult to make progress along the way of consecration.  Before seeking blessing from God, one should carefully consider in retrospect one's previous dealings with Deity.  It is not enough that no offence was meant.  It is not enough that no deceit was planned in advance.  The sin against God arises from the most serious transgression of any commandment, that of nursing a coldness of heart towards God Himself. (Orr, J. Edwin. "Broken Vows." Full Surrender. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1951. 18-19. Print.)

Cut to the Heart

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12

God's Word is alive and more sharp than a laser, uncovering the truth often concealed in the hearts of men.  Men often do not perceive their own hypocrisy until it is pointed out to them, and those who fear God and love His Word have the benefit of hearing that still, small voice which corrects often.  I don't know a man alive who enjoys being corrected by others, but wise men see great value in learning to walk in the way which fully pleases God.  The same word which is loved by one is hated by another.  Proverbs 9:8 says, "Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you."  In the book of Acts there are two contrasting examples provided.

After Stephen was brought before the High Priest and Jewish rulers, he gave a stirring historical overview in Acts 7,  He spoke of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses.  He explained how Moses knew he had been called by God to deliver the people from bondage yet was pushed away when he tried to bring peace to fighting Hebrews.  After 40 years, God appeared to Moses and sent him back to Egypt.  God brought forth His people with a mighty hand, and Moses led the people out.  Yet it was not long until the people's hearts longed to go back to Egypt and refused to obey Moses.  Stephen said in Acts 7:37, "This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear."  The covenant of Law came through Moses, but the covenant of faith came through Jesus.

Stephen connected the rejection of Moses by the people to his hearer's rejection and murder of Jesus Christ.  The comparison cut them to the heart and infuriated them.  Stephen said in Acts 7:51-58, "You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, ⁵³ who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." ⁵⁴ When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. ⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" ⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; ⁵⁸ and they cast him out of the city and stoned him..."  Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the truth, yet these men refused to hear.  They literally stopped up their ears, violently cast Stephen out of the city and savagely stoned him to death - proving again their resistance to the Holy Spirit.

Earlier in Acts, there is one other mention of people being "cut to the heart."  On the Day of Pentecost at 9am, Peter and the disciples who gathered together in one accord received the "promise of the Father," the baptism with the Holy Spirit.  As people gathered around in amazement hearing them speak the wonderful works of God in languages foreign to the speakers, Peter addressed the multitude.  Peter told his curious listeners they were seeing a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy of the Holy Spirit being poured out.  Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus was indeed the Christ, the One promised by God.  He had been rejected and crucified by wicked men.  He said in Acts 2:32-38, "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. ³³ Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, ³⁵ Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." ' ³⁶ "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." ³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" ³⁸ Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

The response of Peter's hearers provides a stark contrast from those Stephen addressed.  When these people were cut to the heart, they did not shout, stop up their ears, lay hands on Peter, and stone him.  The asked an honest question, acknowledging the truth of what Peter said:  "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"  They did not only ask a question, but they heeded the words of Peter.  Acts 2:41 reveals the miraculous effect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit through Peter:  "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them."  Jesus was preached on two occasions where people were "cut to the heart."  The truth of God's Word had skewered these people with opposite results.  The same good word led to the salvation of 3,000 glad souls and also preceded the martyrdom of Steven by an enraged mob.  How could the reactions be so different?

Hebrews 4:12 quoted above is following on from a previous statement, as it starts with the word "For."  The writer of Hebrews used the children of Israel who came out of Egypt as a example and warning.  They had the Word and Law of God and the presence of God with them, yet they were unable to enter into the land because of unbelief.  It is one thing to be brought out of bondage, but we must also enter into the rest God has prepared for us through faith.  Hebrews 4:1-2 says, "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it."  For the Word of God to have God's desired effect upon our hearts, it must be mixed with faith in God.  That is the difference.  There are many people who have been cut to the heart with God's Word and they react violently to it, lashing out with anger and hatred.  Others who are cut to the heart mourn over their sin and repent, the Word being mixed with faith in Jesus Christ.

When we are cut to the heart, faith in God enables us to humble ourselves.  A violent reaction or humble response to God's Word reveals if we are walking in the flesh or by faith in the Living God.  How do you respond when the Word cuts deep?  Do you close the Bible, shut your ears, and lash out?  Or do you ask God "What shall I do?" as you commit to obey His answer?