Scripture Rightly Divided

In our Friday night Bible study at Calvary Chapel Sydney, we discussed how Satan is well-versed in the Scripture.  After Jesus defused a temptation from the devil by quoting the word of God, Satan employed a verse from the Psalms to encourage Jesus to do his will rather than the Father's will.  The devil used a tactic people can use as well, to hijack passages from the Bible they do not believe or accept as true to condemn, guilt or manipulate other people.  Though Satan knew the words of Scripture it is evident he did not understand it, for had he considered the full passage he wrenched out of context he would have been confronted with his own ruin.

Matthew 4:5-6 tells us, "Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"  Let us consider the passage the devil quoted with verses before and after in Psalm 91:9-13:  "Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, ¹⁰ no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; ¹¹ for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. ¹² In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. ¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot."  The passage holds forth the Most High God as a safe refuge from harm, the one who gives deliverance and victory to His people over all enemies.

The Bible compares Satan to a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8, and he is also identified as that old serpent or dragon in Revelation 12:9 and 20:2.  Jesus had no need to jump off the pinnacle of the temple to affirm His identity as the Son of God or to prove the Bible is true--being the Author of Scripture who cannot lie.  God foretold of His victory over the serpent when he was cursed in Genesis 3:15.  The proud devil was conversing with the LORD who had created him, will bind him and shall destroy him forever.  In his pride Satan refuses to admit defeat even in the face of God, but before he knows it God's word shall be accomplished.  Jesus did a far greater thing than jumping from the temple and being spared death by angels who bore Him up when He died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again.  The obedience of Jesus to the will of the Father ushered in salvation and deliverance for all who believe.

The devil does not lay the truth of Scripture to heart and cannot rightly divide it with his forked tongue, but the child of God ought to hold fast to the truth of God's word come what may.  Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan with His feet firmly on the word of God by faith, and we are to follow Christ's example.  Jesus Christ is our faithful refuge, the Most High who keeps us in all our ways, God who tramples the lion and serpent underfoot.

Peace to You

As Christians read the Bible with a hungry, willing heart, the Holy Spirit opens our understanding to notice deeper connections we did not see on the surface.  Sometimes people assume "deeper" revelations of God are new, things previously unheard or unknown, when they are primarily actually affirmations of the truth God has already revealed.  God is exceedingly generous with His wisdom and has made it available and understandable to those who lack it.  In the book of Proverbs Wisdom is personified of standing in the street and calling out to anyone who will listen, and God continues to speak in this manner today through the Scriptures.

While going through an inductive Bible study lesson, I was reminded of a wonderful connection of two passages that are not often placed together in Sunday School:  Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish and His interaction with the two disciples in Emmaus.  In the first instance Jesus showed compassion for the physical needs of people by feeding them, and He demonstrated His miraculous power by doing so with only five loaves and two fish (He used seven loaves of bread and two fish to feed 4,000 on a subsequent occasion (Matthew 15:36-38).  Matthew 14:19 reads, "Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes."  Jesus distributed the food to His disciples, who in turn gave it to those who sat down at His word.  Jesus revealed Himself to be the Bread of Life sent from heaven, that whosoever receives Him will be born again and receive eternal life.

Fast-forward to Jesus and the two disciples He met and walked with along the road to Emmaus after His resurrection.  They were sad because of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ whom they hoped was the Messiah and Redeemer of Israel.  Jesus gently rebuked their slowness of heart to believe all the prophets had spoken concerning the Messiah, and He expounded Scriptures from Moses, the prophets and all Bible passages concerning Himself.  After they arrived at Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion invited Jesus to stay with them.  Luke 24:30-32 says, "Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. ³² And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"

After the eyes of Cleopas and his fellow disciple were opened to recognise Jesus, they did what the disciples did when they fed the 5,000 with bread and fish in a spiritual sense:  as they had received from Jesus, so they were moved to distribute the word of God to disciples starving for hope in Jerusalem!  Luke 24:33-36 continues:  "So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴ saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" ³⁵ And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. ³⁶ Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you."  The disciples hustled back to Jerusalem and shared that the LORD Jesus was indeed risen, what Jesus told them from Scripture, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.  As they spoke of Jesus Christ, Jesus Himself stood in the midst with a blessing of peace for them.  How awesome is this!

Jesus told His disciples, "Freely you have received; freely give."  The Holy Spirit opens the Scriptures to us, not only so we might spiritually feed and grow, but so we would be moved to share Jesus Christ the Living Bread with others so they might be born again, strengthened in faith, and experience peace with God.  The joyful reunion of Cleopas and his friend with the disciples of Jesus in Jerusalem provided a literal fulfillment of what Jesus said in Matthew 18:20:  "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."  This is also literally fulfilled at church, in the breakroom or boardroom, in an office or walking along a beach.  Wherever Christians go to share Christ and His word, Jesus is present with us.  We may not see Him in a human form or hear and audible voice, but our eyes of faith see Him and our hearts know He is there, for He has promised to never leave or forsake us.

What the disciples who returned from Emmaus did in sharing Christ and His word, so we are all called to do as Christians.  Even as the bread and fish passed from the hands of Jesus to the disciples to distribute to others, so we are not to keep spiritual truth concerning Jesus to ourselves.  There are some who are hungry, willing and ready to receive Christ, and as we open and proclaim God's word--including the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus--our risen Saviour will meet with those we speak.  Jesus said in John 6:57-58:  "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread which came down from heaven--not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."

Keep on Shining

In the biblical record of king David's last words, he said in 2 Samuel 23:3-5:  "The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. ⁴ And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.' ⁵ "Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; will He not make it increase?"  David considered the calling of God to rule justly in the fear of the LORD.  As the sun rises and scatters darkness with light, Proverbs 20:8 illustrates the impact of a righteous king:  "A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his eyes."

David freely acknowledged he and his house had not risen to the height of holiness God called them to.  He and his house were guilty of coveting, adultery, murder, rape, deception and insurrection, grave sins despite receiving the revelation of God and His word.  David realised the enormity of God's grace to him and his house, that God had made with him an everlasting covenant with all assurance.  There was nothing more David could have wanted or asked for, for in God David was satisfied and secure forever.  Any good David had done could never excuse his failings, but his faults were all overcome by God's goodness, mercy and grace.

The KJV rendering of 2 Samuel 23:5 is quite different at the end:  "Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow."  What was it God did not make to grow for David?  It was not God's covenant, for it was eternal, secure and unchanging.  It was not David's desire, for his desire was fully satisfied by God and his goodness.  This goes back to the ruler described who is like the "light of the morning when the sun rises" on a morning without clouds.  When the sun first emerges over the horizon with a fiery glow, it is not as bright or hot as when it shines directly overhead.  As king David advanced in age, his glorious influence to uphold justice in the fear of the LORD did not continue to grow.  Marred by sinful scandals and disorder, the light of the house of Jesse dimmed.

Though David's light did not increase toward the end of his life, he remained faithful to the LORD and continued to trust and praise God continually.  Even as the sun rises and sets, humanly speaking our light will rise and be extinguished at the time known by God.  In this world filled with darkness and sin, God did for us what even a man after God's own heart could not do:  to come as the Light of the World in the person of Jesus Christ and bring salvation through the Gospel.  When Simeon held Jesus in his arms, he praise God for the salvation God prepared for all and in Luke 2:32 said Jesus was "...a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."  Jesus said a city on a hill shall not be hidden, and having received Him we are to let our light shine before all so they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

At the end of his life David was not fighting giants on the battlefield, but he continued to praise and acknowledge the goodness of God to him.  He continue to shine for the LORD even when his body could not remain warm and he relied on assistance of others for his health and survival.  Though none of us are righteous in ourselves and have fallen short of God's glory due to sin, let us be those who continue to shine bright because of the everlasting covenant God has made with us.  Jesus is our salvation and song, and may our light that glorifies God be made to increase by God's grace even as the day grows long and the evening of our lives draws nigh.

Responding to Grace

On the subject of opening the door to Jesus who knocks, there is an insightful interaction in the Song of Solomon.  At one time the Shulamite was deeply smitten by the affection and love of her spouse, but when he came knocking at the door it was evident her feelings toward him had cooled.  He lovingly called out to her as he knocked, his hair wet by dew, yet she was reluctant to climb out of bed to let him in.

In response to her husband standing at the door, Song of Songs 5:3 shows the Shulamite's made herself of focus and attention:  "I have taken off my robe; how can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; how can I defile them?"  Her husband knocked at an inconvenient and unexpected time since she had already climbed into bed.  Getting up meant unwanted labour of dressing and likely needing to wash her feet again after walking on the ground.  She did not spare a thought of how cold and wet her spouse was as she considered whether to rise from bed or not.

But she did love her husband, and she wanted to see him.  She warmed to the idea of opening the door to her husband, and apparently took time preparing herself to be presentable.  Verse 5 describes her fingers dripping with liquid myrrh as she went to open the door, a valued fragrance used in beauty treatments.  To her surprise, when she opened the door her husband was nowhere to be found.  It seems clear that had she opened the door immediately at his voice, bounding out of bed as he had previously as he leapt across hills to be with her, she would have been swept up in his embrace--without a robe, dirty feet and all.

I wonder if Christians can be with Jesus like the Shulamite was with her husband she loved.  Rather than responding to His voice immediately, our thoughts make ourselves the focus when we ought to consider Christ who loves us.  We do the equivalent of trying to make ourselves presentable when He knows what a mess we are behind closed doors, like the lukewarm church of Laodicea, spiritually we are wretched, poor, blind and naked!  Because of the love Jesus has demonstrated for us, it is no inconvenience to rise at his voice.  Since it is Jesus who empowers us to do His will and can raise the dead to new life, He can strengthen us to rise--even if we are comfy in bed.

How blessed we are to be called to fellowship by our gracious Saviour who loves us!  The love Jesus for us is not based on our worthiness or readiness but shown by His willing, complete sacrifice for us.  Let us be those who respond to God's grace not because it is convenient but because He is worthy.

Ditching the Crutches

Years ago I tore my ACL and was on crutches for awhile during the rehabilitation process.  While I would have preferred not to have needed crutches to walk around, they helped me move more easily in the early days of recovery.  Right after surgery the medical team wanted me up and bending my leg, embracing the pain to be back on my feet and working towards full health.  My physical therapist gave me exercises to strengthen my body, and the plan was to rely on the crutches less and less.  After a couple of weeks, the crutches were stored in the garage where they have remained unused to this day--and hopefully will not be needed again.

The subject of crutches came up for me while studying this week.  After gathering the prophets of Baal and the people of Israel together to Mt. Carmel, the prophet of God Elijah addressed everyone in 1 Kings 18:21:  "And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word."  I looked up the Hebrew words translated "falter between two opinions" and it is to "limp between two crutches."  It was evident the loyalty and reliance of the people was split between the God of their fathers and Baal, an idol of Canaan.  The visual of a person limping on two crutches is compelling, for that is how some people relate to the almighty God.  They view Him as a means of support and help, and when the difficulty or pain has passed they put Him away.  In a time of need they will reach for Him again, just like I would those dusty crutches if I sprained my ankle or tore an ACL again.

This illustration begs the question:  don't we do God a grave dishonour to attempt to use Him as a crutch?  Crutches possess no power to heal our injuries, and their usefulness completely depends on our strength and dexterity.  It is entirely possible we have been like the children of Israel and faltered between two crutches, limping along trying to use God or anything else that will deliver us from pain or support us so we can arrive at our desired end.  God is not a crutch that we should lean on Him:  He is the God who saves, heals and guides us to walk with Jesus by faith, who raises us to new life.  Jesus healed the blind and lame; He opened the eyes of the blind, cleansed lepers and raised the dead!  Why should we be content to lean on Him when we are hurting but alternatively lean on idols or people, relying on our own faltering strength?

No one said a word after Elijah confronted the people for faltering between two opinions.  After the people saw God miraculously consume the offering Elijah offered with fire from heaven, 1 Kings 18:39 tells us, "Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!"  Like a lame man who jumps to his feet and casts aside his crutches having been miraculously made well by Jesus, the children of Israel fell on their faces and acknowledged the LORD is God alone.  God's will is for us to be living sacrifices unto Him, and by God's grace we have been made holy and acceptable to God by the shed blood of Jesus.  Even if our bodies carry old injuries, spiritually speaking we have been redeemed to have a relationship and by faith walk unencumbered with the living God today.  Those who try to use God like a crutch will remain spiritually lame--even if their faith in God is genuine.  Isn't it time to ditch the crutches?

Standing and Sent

After Joab and David's men routed Absalom and his army, the biblical narrative shares an insightful interaction between the general and Ahimaaz.  2 Samuel 18:19-21 reads, "Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, "Let me run now and take the news to the king, how the LORD has avenged him of his enemies." ²⁰ And Joab said to him, "You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, because the king's son is dead." ²¹ Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." So the Cushite bowed himself to Joab and ran."  Ahimaaz was keen to run to the king with news, but Joab sent a Cushite (a man of Ethiopia) who was an eyewitness of the events of the day.  The Cushite was obviously a trustworthy man and well-spoken, for Joab did not put words in his mouth or coach him at all.

Ahimaaz, however, would not be deterred.  2 Samuel 18:22-23 says, "And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, "But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite." So Joab said, "Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?" ²³ "But whatever happens," he said, "let me run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite."  Ahimaaz continued to pester Joab to allow him to run as well--even though he was not sent with a message.  Joab questioned Ahimaaz why he would run without news, yet this did not matter to Ahimaaz.  He was good at running, and thus he wanted to run.  Joab finally allowed Ahimaaz to run, and it seems he was not behind the Cushite before long because he took a short cut across the plain and passed him.  It wasn't a race, and Ahimaaz was given no news, yet he wanted to be first.

The watchman saw a man running at a distance by himself, and then a second runner came into view.  2 Samuel 18:27 tells us, "So the watchman said, "I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok." And the king said, "He is a good man, and comes with good news."  Like Jehu who drove his chariot with a distinctive, furious style, so the running style of Ahimaaz was known to the watchman so he recognised his running gait long before his face was distinguishable.  2 Samuel 18:28-30 states, "And Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, "All is well!" Then he bowed down with his face to the earth before the king, and said, "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king!" ²⁹ The king said, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent the king's servant and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about." ³⁰ And the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still."  Though Ahimaaz ran well, he lacked knowledge to answer the one question asked by his king.  Ahimaaz claimed to have been sent by Joab (when it was Ahimaaz who insisted he run), and ironically ran all that way to expose his own ignorance before his king he wanted to impress.  David told Ahimaaz to stand aside, seeing he had nothing of importance to say.

2 Samuel 18:31-33 reads, "Just then the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, "There is good news, my lord the king! For the LORD has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you." ³² And the king said to the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" So the Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!" ³³ Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept...".  We are never told the name of the Cushite, but having been sent as an eye-witness of what took place that day, he masterfully held forth truth that moved David to tears.  Ahimaaz had a reputation and distinct style as a runner but lacked substance as a messenger.  The contrast between Ahimaaz and the Cushite is an illustration of the word of the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah which is relevant for us today.

Though the nation had forsaken God, there were false prophets who spoke a "vision of their own heart" and not from the mouth of the LORD.  They promised peace when God intended to bring judgment upon His people for their wickedness.  God said in Jeremiah 23:21-22, "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. ²² But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings."  There are many self-proclaimed prophets who claim to speak for God, and they can be recognised by their television programs, stage presence and best-selling books.  Genuine prophets can be popular, like John the Baptist was.  But the point is, it is possible for charismatic and gifted speakers to prophecy a vision of their own heart without a message from God--like Ahimaaz who was intent on running when he had no message from Joab.  Rather than running to speak at a conference or write a book without a message from God, they ought to have stood in His counsel and spoken forth God's word.

This is an important principle to take to heart in Christian ministry, whether we are recognised for our style of speaking like Ahimaaz was known for running or like the Cushite who was unknown and remains nameless.  It may be our role is to preach a sermon every week, lead Bible studies and speak at conferences on a regular basis.  Let us be intentional to stand in God's counsel and cause people to hear God's words--not the vision of our hearts.  As eye witnesses of our great God, let us examine our hearts and motives to ensure we have been sent by God and He has spoken to us words we have received before we run to speak to others.  Ahimaaz never answered the question why he wanted to run so badly when he didn't have a message, and the same question could have been posed to the false prophets in Jeremiah's day.  It is a question best left unanswered if we are unwilling to give an honest answer.

Let us be those who stand in God's counsel, and when He sends us to deliver His message may we run our race with joy.  I would rather stand in God's counsel rather than God telling me to stand aside because my words lack substance.

Strife Prevention

During my time working as a union mechanical insulator, our industry expanded to include firestopping.  This had nothing to do with fighting fires but was intended to contain fires and prevent them from spreading--especially in commercial buildings.  Wherever ducts, pipes and electrical conduit penetrate concrete floors and walls, fire and toxic fumes could potentially spread and endanger the lives of people trying to evacuate.  Most applications required packing the penetration with rock wool and then adding a layer of firestop caulking that, when heated, would expand and fill the gap left by melted pipes or wiring.  Stopping the spread of fire allows more time for people to escape and for firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

While not everyone is trained to install firestopping, it is everyone's calling as children of God to be one who takes action to ensure the fires caused by lies, boasting or gossip stop with us.  As fire is contained by a fire-rated corridor or door, so we are to stand in the gap to recongise gossip and take no part in spreading it.  We sometimes cannot control what we hear, but we are called to ensure we honour God and edify others with our lips.  James showed how our tongues can express sin that spread like a fire and is shockingly destructive in James 3:5-6:  "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell."  A spark can set a whole forest alight, and a little gossip can burn relationships to the ground.

Once a fire is "out of control," there is little we can do to try to control it.  Prevention of fires is better than needing to fight them, and the science of fire is fairly straightforward:  a fire needs fuel, oxygen and an ignition source.  If any of these three are not present, fires will not start; if one of these is removed, a fire will cease to burn.  Proverbs 26:20 says, "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases."  Talebearers, busybodies and gossips--whatever you call them--provide the fuel for strife by saying things about others in a sinful manner.  Proverbs 20:19 gives insight how gossip and flattery can go together:  "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips."  The NIV puts it like this:  "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much."  A little gossip can do great damage, and thus we ought to carefully consider what we say and why.  Gossips are like arsonists that find perverse enjoyment in lighting fires.  Such have great pleasure in being in the know, spreading stories and seeing people's eyes widen in wonder at their words.

Proverbs 11:13 states, "A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter."  It is estimated by some nearly half of the bushfires in Australia are deliberately lit, and I suspect a lot of people who hear and spread gossip are unaware they have done or are doing so due to the subtlety of sin.  Gossip, boasting, flattery and lying are easy for us as speaking.  Perhaps those who gossip imagine they are doing good, like firefighters who backburn to eliminate fuel before the summer heat.  Yet the Bible is clear that talebearing--regardless of the justification--only adds fuel to a fire to make it burn out of control and stirs up strife.  There will always be good stories to tell others, but be sure all stories you tell are your own and spoken to edify others.  Let us be those who snuff out the drifting embers or flames of gossip with the refreshing Living Water of the Holy Spirit, guided by love and truth.  We who used to be talebearers can now serve as talestoppers by God's grace and prevent strife.

Decreasing and Growing

Filled with the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist was a man who demonstrated humility.  He was a man who had understanding of God's calling and purpose in his life, one crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the LORD Jesus Christ.  His sanctified life in the fear of God led people to follow him, and he was faithful to lead his disciples to follow Jesus.  John embraced turnover in his ministry, for as he said to his disciples who were concerned about the notoriety, attention and followers Jesus had that seemed to detract from John's efforts:  "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)  John knew his ministry was to point people to Jesus so they might follow him instead, and he was content to continue baptising people to proclaim Jesus as the One who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire.

As a parent, it is good to know our children are gifts from God we are called to love, provide for, guide in godliness by example and faithfully discipline.  When we have fulfilled our role as parents, knowing our children are on loan because they are really God's, we are able to better embrace the changing seasons when kids grow into adults and have their own families.  A bow is meant to shoot arrows, and children are not to be permanently attached to their parent's string.  They must go out from us in due time, and we can delight in the new seasons God brings of marriage, grandchildren and friendship--even when we are parted over a long distance or space of time.  Since our rejoicing is in the LORD who gives all good things, we can be glad in future seasons God has in store for us.  They will be different than when our kids were little but are beautiful in their own way, enriched by time with the LORD and one another.

Growing pains are not just for the young but are also experienced as we grow older and face changes and challenges from advancing seasons of life, work and ministry.  A time comes when we cannot physically do what we used to enjoy doing in the past.  It can be hard for people who are used to doing everything to need to rely on others for help.  It is easy to lose a sense of purpose when we cannot contribute in ways we have in the past.  Just recently I decided that when the day came people no longer wanted me as speaker at a youth camp I would embrace it--despite feelings of rejection that come with being overlooked, to be a last resort rather than first preference.  Like I have outgrown suits, sometimes we do not fit into a role we still feel comfortable in.  By God's grace we can embrace roles we find very uncomfortable, strengthened and encouraged that the LORD has set before us an open door.  These opportunities, even when they aren't our idea or preference, are wonderful reminders God has more for us to do.  This exercise of faith to honour Jesus over ourselves brings spiritual growth.

I was reminded during study of the words Jesus spoke to the church in Philadelphia, that He had set before them an open door none could shut.  The God of patience and comfort is the God who sets before us an open door, and we enter that door by faith in Him who is the Door.  Sometimes we do not recognise or even perceive the open door because of hindrances that can distract us from God's goodness and sovereignty.  A severe illness or our advancing age may close doors to us, but know as long as we live Jesus has set before us an open door.  Even on a sickbed we are not without ability to serve the LORD in meaningful ways by praying and praising Him for His goodness.  Strip away from me the roles as pastor, camp speaker, husband and dad, and the LORD remains as worthy of worship and thanksgiving as ever.  In heaven I will be none of those things, and yet God is pleased to welcome me into His presence as His son right now.  In a world that makes increase an idol, let us be those who are joyfully willing to decrease so Jesus Christ may increase.  Whenever we notice a decrease in our ability, know and praise the LORD in our weakness God's strength is made perfect and thus He can increase--despite our lack of production.

Submission and Surrender

When it comes to surrender, not all surrendering is the same.  There is a surrender that is forced upon others by brute force.  A proud fighter taps out because he is losing consciousness while in a choke hold, and a nation surrenders during war when it is clear surrender is necessary for their survival.  There remains animosity and the desire to fight on, but it simply isn't possible.  There is another version of surrender, when someone is so beaten down and detached they simply do not care what happens.  The duration of the fight and inability to overcome leads to surrender that gives up from utter hopelessness.

These kinds of surrender motivated by circumstances out of our control and hopelessness are of little value in the Christian life because it is not according to faith in God as revealed in Scripture.  When we sing, "I surrender all" it ought to be a surrender that is glad submission, a joyful resignation of ourselves and situation into the hands of God who is good.  There is no gritted teeth in this surrender, no fury or frustration, for faith in God brings an expectation of hope of God's goodness even in the midst of trouble.  David sang in Psalm 27:13-14, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. ¹⁴ Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"

Whilst we can be guilty of singing lies in church when our lives do not match our songs of praise and worship, David was a man of integrity who lived a life of surrender before God.  When confronted with his sin, David repented and worshipped the LORD.  Even after his son Absalom betrayed him and made a rebellious play for the throne, by faith in God David vacated Jerusalem rather than shed blood.  Rather than fighting to defend his rights as God's anointed or carrying the Ark of the Covenant out of Jerusalem, David cast his life and future reign on the LORD in surrender to His will.  2 Samuel 15:25-26 reads, "Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. ²⁶ But if He says thus: 'I have no delight in you,' here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him."  See how personal David's surrender was to entrust himself into the hands of the LORD, for despite Absalom's coup he knew God reigned on high.

The resignation of David to God's grace is different than that shown by the high priest Eli after being confronted by a man of God and the revelation God gave to Samuel as a child concerning Eli's sons he knew were wicked and for doing nothing to restrain them.  Eli affirmed the word of the LORD in 1 Samuel 3:18 by saying, “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”  The problem was Eli's resignation to God's will was to remain in sin rather than repent and take action against his erring sons who led Israel to sin. Eli demanded to hear God's revelation with an oath, yet he was firmly and helplessly resolved to remain in sin and shirk his God-given duty.  A godly surrender is one that is in submission and agreement with God, falling upon His mercy while doing all we can to please Him.  This is the heart we see in David, and the kind of surrender God desires to be in all God's people.  Unless our surrender is joyful submission before the LORD, it is of little worth indeed.

Warning Signs and Red Flags

I remember driving up a mountain road and noticed warning signs of something being wrong with our car.  Suddenly my wife and I commented on a sweet smell, like syrup on pancakes.  Then I saw water pooling around the front edge of the bonnet that slowly reached like long fingers towards the windscreen.  As I saw the temperature gauge quickly begin to soar, it was evident our radiator had sprung a leak, and we were losing coolant fast.  Thankfully because I recognised the warning signs of mechanical failure, I was able to pull over and have the vehicle towed and organise the repair without additional damage.

Many times it is not until after something goes catastrophically wrong that we realise we missed some warning signs.  Many of us have shrugged off or explained away warnings signs as irrelevant which would have been red flags to the observant.  Absalom, David's son, had many red flags that preceded his rise to power by usurping his father's kingdom.  He was highly praised for his handsome appearance, but what took place in his heart and mind was proud, selfish and sinful.  He lack of fitness for being king was seen with how he handled conflicts long before he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom arranged the execution of his half-brother Amnon after he raped his sister, Tamar.  Rather than going through the proper channels of justice, he waited two years to lure his brother to a celebration where he gave the order to kill Amnon after he had been drinking.  Absalom knew he had done wrong, and thus he fled to Geshur where he remained for three years.  At the king's command Joab brought Absalom back home to Israel.  When Joab did not respond to two messages sent by Absalom, Absalom commanded his servants to burn Joab's field of barley.  This was no harmless prank, and it certainly achieved Absalom's desire when Joab came to confront him.  Absalom felt perfectly justified in doing what he did because it accomplished his designs he was entitled to.  He felt his time was being wasted, and he was the one who mattered most.

The plot to slay his brother and the smoke that rose from Joab's field of barley were red flags about the  sinful character of the man who went on to seduce the people of Israel, undermine his father's authority, and resulted in declaring himself king.  His brief "reign" was marked by adultery, spies and a bloody battle that ended with his death.  Had he remained on the throne, it is likely the nation of Israel would have suffered much more of the same at the hands of this cruel, brutal tyrant who was highly praised of everyone for his handsome looks.  May God open our eyes to warning signs and make them red flags we do not ignore and charge past--especially when it comes to choosing people for leadership roles.  Absalom's treacherous and narcissistic path to power would be the same way he exercised that power:  for his own personal gain at the expense of everyone else.

Proverbs 20:9-11 says, "Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin"? ¹⁰ Diverse weights and diverse measures, they are both alike, an abomination to the LORD. ¹¹ Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right."  No man is able to cleanse and purify their hearts from sin, for only God can do this.  He knows what is right and wrong, and Absalom was a man of diverse weights and measures:  he appeared as an upright man who cared for others, yet he really only cared for himself.  Good quality of character can be observed in a child, and Absalom's deeds showed who he was as a man.  Heeding warning signs and investigating further is the key to making important decisions that take God's word and wisdom into account.  As children of God, let us be those who take God's warnings to heart and do what is right.

The Baptisms of Jesus

During Bible study last night, we spoke about Noah releasing birds from the ark after the flood to see if the waters had abated from the earth.  After the tops of the mountains were seen from his window for 40 days, Noah sent out a raven and a dove.  Genesis 8:9 reads, "But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself."  Noah waited seven days and then released the dove again, and this time she returned carrying an olive leaf in her beak.  Seven days later he sent out the dove again, and that was the last Noah saw her because she did not return.

One way Jesus was identified as the Messiah to Israel and the world was when John baptised Jesus.  He said this was one reason the prophet John baptised people in water in John 1:31-33:  "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water." ³² And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. ³³ I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'"  After Jesus was baptised the Holy Spirit descended and remained on Jesus in the form of a dove, and the voice of God declared from heaven Jesus was His beloved Son, and in Him God was well-pleased.  John the Apostle (who wrote the Gospel of John) affirmed himself to be an eyewitness in John 1:34, "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

John the Baptist addressed those who came to see John in wilderness of Christ's baptism that was mightier than baptism in water in Matthew 3:11-12:  "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."  John showed Jesus was infinitely greater than he--though he was the greatest prophet among men--because Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  By faith in Jesus believers are spiritually regenerated, having repented of sin, and are born again by the Holy Spirit who takes up residence within each Christian.  Jesus also will baptise with fire, and this speaks of eternal judgment.  John explained how Jesus will gather to Himself all who trusted in Him, and all who reject Him will be burned in the unquenchable fires of hell forever.

God holds accountable all who have heard of Jesus to believe in Him or to reject Him.  As human beings who have personal preferences, we like to keep all options available to us.  We can resent the lack of options with the narrow way Jesus provides to go to heaven and that all other paths lead to eternal damnation.  Jesus asked the chief priests and elders in Matthew 21:25-27:  "The baptism of John--where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' ²⁶ But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet." ²⁷ So they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."  The simple question Jesus asked threw the religious rulers into a quandary.  They realised if they took a clear position they would incriminate themselves, so they pleaded ignorance.  Jesus wisely exposed their hypocrisy and refused to answer their question concerning His authority, for they would not believe Him even though He spoke the truth.

After Christ's death and resurrection, Matthew 28:17-20 details an interaction of Jesus with His disciples:  "When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."  Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth, and He alone has the power to baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Even genuine disciples can have doubts, but God's word puts it plainly beyond doubt that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.  Those who receive Him by faith and are born again will gathered to Him in glory forever, and those who reject Him or claim ignorance will be gathered together to be burned with unquenchable fire.  Praise the LORD He has made a way of salvation through faith in Jesus, and what a privilege it is to worship and serve the KING OF KINGS who baptises us with the Holy Spirit.

Dying and Dignity

I have lived long enough to see topics debated in classrooms that were supported by a minority of students be adopted by various States in the U.S. and other countries--things like the legalisation of marijuana and euthanasia.  As public opinion and the moral and ethical stances of people can shift over time, so does the English language.  The phrasing of things often evolves to sound more acceptable to those opposed to the idea.  For instance, I observed the concept of "gay marriage" change to "same-sex marriage" and finally land on "marriage equality."  While society and terminology is bound to change, I am willing to be one of those who make an effort to hold fast to the orthodox meaning of words like "marriage," as it is very specific in a biblical sense:  the lifelong union of one man and one woman by God.  

All students of God's word know that words matter:  undermining or changing the meaning of words leads people into confusion, misunderstanding and error.  One word I have heard used frequently in articles about euthanasia--which also has been called "assisted suicide" and now "voluntary assisted dying"--is the connection (possibly for the alliteration) of "dying with dignity."  This has become a euphemism for seeking medical assistance to end one's life.  The modern Cambridge Dictionary definition of "dignity" is, "calm, serious, and controlled behaviour that makes people respect you; the importance and value that a person has, that makes other people respect them or makes them respect themselves."  Now consider the different definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary:  "True honor; nobleness or elevation of mind, consisting in a high sense of propriety, truth and justice, with an abhorrence of mean and sinful actions...honorable place or rank of elevation; degree of excellence...an elevated office, civil or ecclesiastical, giving a high rank in society..."  The Cambridge definition of dignity is about being respected and respecting yourself whilst Webster cites dignity as honour, elevation and excellence in an objective sense.  There is a dignity we can demand for ourselves, but there is a far greater and lasting dignity which is given from submission to God--even in the manner or timing of our death.

It is not my aim to take potshots at those who have embraced the "dying with dignity" movement that is currently active and likely growing around the world.  I am convinced Death brings no dignity to mankind whatsoever.  Death does not elevate or bestow respect upon mankind but ultimately forces people willingly or unwillingly to the grave.  The dignity man seeks for himself is a murky hint of true dignity God extends to all who know and love Him.  When Jesus was lifted up on the cross, He did not die for Himself but experienced death for all mankind.  It is indeed noble Jesus would lay down His life to provide atonement for lost sinners who are underserving of God's love and favour.  Rather than seeking to end His pain and suffering, Jesus embraced it to redeem souls doomed to destruction.  A living man has more dignity than the dead because God created us in His own image to live and live with Him.  True dignity is not obtained by trying to control our lives, by making the call when or how we want to die, but by joyful acknowledgment of the sovereign God who gives us life on earth and eternal life in His presence.  It is God who dignifies man--not death or the timing and manner of it.

From a biblical perspective, seeking dignity or trying to cling to it is to aim far below the abundant life God has granted us by faith in Jesus Christ that seeks to honour Him.  From a human vantage point I understand the desire to end chronic pain and wanting to avoid physical decline in the face of a terminal medical prognosis or an incurable disease.  Yet the cross of Christ shows us there is greater honour in facing pain at the end of life with courage and joyful resolve, knowing we will rise again without sickness or pain in glory because Jesus died so we shall live.  There is great honour for those who receive a trial of sickness and suffering as from the hand of the almighty God and continue to affirm He is good, choosing to entrust their lives presently and in the future to the LORD who holds them close.  This faith in God will overcome the world, sickness, pain and death, and our times are in God's hands (Psalm 31:15).

If suffering leads you to consider "ending it all," it seems focus has drifted from our Saviour Jesus to self and to choose death Jesus died to save us from.  Rather than seeking death by medical means or otherwise, our call as Christians is to seek Him because He is our life.  Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-4, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."  Death for Christians is in our past, for Jesus died for us and our life is hidden with the risen Christ in God.  Jesus has promised to return, and know every day we live--complete with inconveniences, pains, sorrows and suffering--is a precious gift He has given us to live with Him in mind.  We can die with dignity and lose it, but those who lose their lives and dignity for Christ's sake will find honour and elevation beyond compare forever.

Going Through the Motions

Though it seems there is always a chore that needs doing, it is satisfying when it is done.  It is pleasing to see your cleaning, sorting or arranging makes a tangible difference.  While the marks of the wheels of the lawn mower are fresh on the lawn and the brushes of the vacuum are plain in carpet, it is gratifying evidence of progress.  I have noticed myself at times going out of my way to take a moment to look at a completed job, to bask in the glow of a task finished well.

Today I had an interesting moment while doing a bit of vacuuming.  After using a car, appliance or tool for awhile, I become aware when things sound different.  Though my hearing isn't the greatest, it seemed the vacuum had a higher pitched whine than usual.  For awhile I thought little of it as the carpet bowed before the vacuum brushes like subjects paying homage to their king.  When I used the crevice tool, the suction seemed a bit weak so I opened the case.  I was surprised to find the bag full enough to restrict the suction of the machine.  After the new bag was installed, it was a brand new vacuum again.

At that stage, half of the carpet had already been vacuumed.  It occurred to me the brush marks in the carpet made it look like it had been vacuumed thoroughly--but due to the lack of suction, it wasn't done as well as it ought to have been.  It is like smells we associate with "clean," like the scent of pine.  Many times just bringing the mop bucket into the toilet led to comments how it "smells clean in here" when I hadn't done anything.  The distinctive smell of products like Pine-Sol and the look of brush marks in carpet pile can convey cleanliness when it is a mirage.  Cleaner needs to come into direct contact with soiled materials to clean them, and a vacuum needs to have room in the bag to lift hidden dust.

The full vacuum bag today was a good illustration that even as we can go through the motions of cleaning (without optimal cleaning taking place), we can go through the spiritual motions of reading the Bible, praying and serving without much benefit.  We have experienced the sweet fragrance of God's word but stopped short of applying it to our hearts; we can be so full of our own thoughts or have neglected to cast our cares on the LORD we stop short of receiving His goodness and grace.  We have put in the time in seeking the LORD, so to speak, but we have not encountered the LORD's presence because we did not prepare our hearts by humility and repentance of sin.  God forbid the machine of ministry would continue humming along and thus we neglect our need to be filled with and submit to the Holy Spirit.  Unless we are filled with the Holy Spirit and God's love, all our efforts will be largely ineffective and empty.

Let us remember what is written in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7:  "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  Rather than going through the motions, may God's love purify our motives and move us to trust Him as we follow Jesus faithfully.

Life and the Law

From my observations, Christians in our day sometimes struggle with the relevance of the Law of Moses.  Some view it as being fulfilled and thus relevant only from a historical perspective, and others are confused about what believers are obligated to obey--because the Law is righteous and good.  The Sermon on the Mount shows Jesus established a standard higher than that of Mosaic Law rather than encouraging lawlessness, for by faith in Jesus we hear and obey Him.  Paul later explained the Law was given to reveal our sinfulness and need for forgiveness and salvation, likening it to a tutor that led sinners by the hand to trust in Jesus.

Those who have received the Gospel can have a negative bias against the Law of God, grateful we Gentiles are not obligated to live as Jews who traditionally observe the Law.  This attitude can actually be borne out of selfishness and love for our own lives rather than willingness to die to self, take up our cross daily and follow Jesus.  After all, isn't Jesus worthy of such sacrifices?  It is important we realise the Law of Moses is worthy of praise and admiration.  The psalmist certainly held this view as it is written in Psalm 119:92-94:  "Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. ⁹³ I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. ⁹⁴ I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts."  To the nation of Israel, God's Law was a revelation of His righteousness that made a provision for blessing and salvation impossible by any other means.

Jesus observed this view was maintained by the religious rulers in His day in John 5:39-40:  "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. ⁴⁰ But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."  God, who created mankind and gives life to all people, offers eternal life revealed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is by receiving Christ by faith we have life as it is written in John 1:12-14:  "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."  The abundant life promised by God is experienced and enjoyed by a relationship with God made possible by our Saviour Jesus who gives the Holy Spirit.

The Law has a critical and important relevance because by the Law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).  Through God's Law we are provided insight into God's character, His holiness, sin's consequences and need for atonement by sacrifices offered by sanctified priests.  Jesus is the great high priest who offered Himself once for all, not so we can keep the Law to be righteous, but so we might be declared righteous by grace through faith in Him.  We therefore are led and empowered to walk righteously, to love God and others, having our hearts and minds refined according to His divine goodness and His word.  Rather than loving the fact we do not need to be burdened by trying to keep the Law of Moses, we ought to love God's Law because God employed it to reveal our need for a Saviour--led us right to Jesus Christ who loves us and gave His life for us.

Remembering God as God

Our inclination as humans is to bring the almighty God down to our level--or even the level of a worthless idol.  Though God created mankind in His own image, we can adopt a concept of God that is very much like ourselves.  Our lack of faith in God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture results in us colouring God by our own weakness and inability.  Worse than that, we can assume He agrees with and approves of our sin.  Crazy, right?  But God rebuked His people for this very thing.

God said to His people who did wickedly in Psalm 50:16-21:  "But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, ¹⁷ seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? ¹⁸ When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. ¹⁹ You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. ²⁰ You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. ²¹ These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes."  The actions of God's people showed they thought He was like them, yet God did not consent to thieves or a partaker with adulterers.  He did not speak evil or deceive anyone.  While people slandered their brother, God remained silent.  God broke His silence with rebuke because they had not walked in His ways.

Another way those who believe in God's existence reduce Him to the level of an idol is to think that because we are entitled to benefits by what we have done to honour Him.  I recently read an article on the worship of Apollo which suggested that after greeting the god with as many names you can, to remind the god of all the good things you have done for it.  After making your request, it was appropriate to make a promise of what you will do when the favour is granted.  I wonder if this does not resemble some of the prayers people make to the LORD of Hosts who has graciously given us life!  This is how we naturally operate:  doing unto others as they have done to us, to help others we deem worthy.  Our natural inclination is to be legalistic in kindness doled out to others, for God's grace that springs from His goodness is a foreign concept.

The song concludes in Psalm 50:22-23:  "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: ²³ whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God."  Blessed is the man who remembers and honours God as He is revealed in His word.  Freely we have received all good things from God, and we ought to praise Him freely for all the good He has already done and for His faithfulness now and forever.  The testimony of scripture affirms that the one whose faith in God is demonstrated by obedience to Him will experience God's salvation which He freely offers to everyone by grace.  Through Jesus Christ and the covenant in His own blood Isaiah 52:10 has been fulfilled:  "The LORD has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God."

New Creations in Christ

A powerful witness of God's power to save is the testimony of lives changed by faith in Jesus.  Whilst being born-again through the Gospel does not always result in immediate, overt transformation, what God does on the inside is real and profound.  Jesus Christ alone can change Saul of Tarsus the Pharisee to Paul the apostle.  He went from going on the warpath to accuse and persecute Christians to gladly counting everything loss for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ, and he willingly gave his life rather than deny the LORD Jesus.

Paul shared how being in Christ transformed his life in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17:  "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. ¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  As Jesus was raised to new life by His resurrection from the dead, Christians are made new creations, compelled by God's love to live for God who graciously loves us.  Above all other people, Christians can testify personally of the power of God at work through the Holy Spirit who makes us new creations in Christ.  At the very least we ought to ascribe power of God to change anyone, even if it seems unlikely or impossible:  for what is impossible with men is possible with God.

While we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, it does not follow we always trust God as we should.  We can become cynical and even harbour doubt God could change other people.  We can apply this assumption to churches as well (groups of people saved and being changed by God's grace), and ridiculously imagine the church is static and unchanged over time.  After my arrival in Australia, I was a bit surprised when people voiced opinions of our church, a previous pastor, or congregants who had not been to the church in some time.  It is like visitors or former congregants imagined the church was currently as they perceived it previously--when God is continuing to refine each member of the church day by day.  It may be that there are Christians who are stuck in a legalistic rut, have their hobby-horse doctrines, odd mannerisms, or interests we find strange.  But let us never limit God by assuming His people are doomed to remain as they are and churches by extension must suffer the same fate--as if Jesus is not involved in the salvation and sanctification of His people.

Hopefully I am not the same man I was 10 years ago because I have grown in faith, love, grace and wisdom.  Even if a church has not grown numerically in a decade, God-willing members have matured in faith before the LORD and are increasing in love one for another.  I wonder if we can be quicker to write off Christians changing for the better than believing God can save lost sinners!  How is it brethren, we believe God can turn Saul into Paul but do not trust God can make a Paul more godly, loving and gracious day by day?  The letters Jesus sent to the churches in Asia plainly show God wants churches He has things against to repent of sin and to return to their first love.  Through faith in Him, transformation is possible.  A church that over time took on a legalistic and harsh flavour by Jesus in the midst can be changed to have the inviting savour of grace, love and kindness.  With God, this is more than possible:  it is what Jesus does.

One Defining Characteristic

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:34-36

God's people were commanded to love the LORD their God with all their hearts, and Jesus upped the ante in person as Immanuel to love one another as He loved them.  It was not boldness, devotion, intelligence or study of God's word but the love of Jesus that was to be their defining characteristic as His disciples.  God's love stands alone from all love that is found in the world.  Jesus went on to demonstrate His love for sinners by freely and willingly dying on the cross to atone for lost sinners so they might have abundant life through Him.

The love of Jesus was seen throughout His life and ministry on earth, and it was brought to the attention of the people of Bethany by His tears.  Jesus went to Bethany after He knew His friend Lazarus had died, and by the time Jesus arrived he had been buried four days.  John 11:33-36 states, "Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. ³⁴ And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"  Jesus was moved emotionally and groaned when He saw people lamenting the death of Lazarus.  When He wept at the tomb of Lazarus, people could see He really loved him.

In those days it was common to hire professional mourners to show kindness to those mourning in addition to honouring the deceased, and this service was seen by some as a fulfillment of loving your neighbour as yourself.  The tears of Jesus were a demonstration of His love for Lazarus.  God who transcends time entered time and Jesus lingered in that sorrowful moment, despite knowing His plan to raise Lazarus from the dead.  He groaned within Himself as He approached the tomb, and Jesus directed the people to remove the stone from the mouth of the tomb.  John 11:41-42 reads, "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."  At the command of Jesus, Lazarus came forth from the tomb and many people believed Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

There is everything to admire in Jesus:  His power, wisdom, boldness, grace and patience.  There is no end to how wonderful and amazing Jesus is to call unworthy disciples, do countless miracles. always speak the truth, knows perfectly the hearts of men, to take little children in His arms, and show deep interest and care for those who had little or no honour in society.  But if I had to pick one defining characteristic of my Saviour Jesus, it would be His love that undergirds everything He said and did and flavours everything about Him.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, of anything we might be known for, may it be our love of Jesus Christ shown to one another.  I may not be the most bright, clever, brave, strong, kind or gentle, yet may God say of me, "He really loves Jesus."  If this feat is ever accomplished, it will be God's doing and by His grace.  Is that how you want to be known by others--how they would sum up your life--as one who loves Jesus?

Born Twice, Died Once

The Christian's faith in God is according to knowledge revealed in the Bible, God's word.  As it is written, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:16-17).  As conversations between parents can go over their young children's heads, even when we have read through the Scriptures many times it is likely timeless truth has escaped the notice of born-again children of God until now.  There are also many things we know and believe to be true we have yet to appropriate, apply to our lives or guide our perspective.  Exposure to the word of God leads to our salvation, and a regular diet of God's word contributes mightily to our sanctification and spiritual maturity.

During recent study I came across a quote attributed to D.L. Moody that drove home an important point:  "He who is born once will die twice; he who is born twice will die once."  Every living human being was born of two parents, and due to sin everyone will die physically and also face the second death God spoke of in Revelation 20 & 21.  Those who are born-again by faith in Jesus, having been born a second time, will not be hurt by the second death that involves eternal torment in hell.  The death of our bodies will be the only death we face.  The awesome truth for Christians is our death is actually in the past, for by faith in Jesus we are baptised into Christ's death and resurrection.

Paul wrote to Christians in Romans 6:1-4:  "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."  In coming to Christ as Saviour, we have died to sin because Jesus tasted death for us, having provided atonement through His sacrifice on Calvary.  Spiritually speaking born-again Christians look upon the death of Jesus on the cross and realise we died with Him, and now we are risen with Him.  Thus we are to walk in newness of life, put off all sin and live in freedom from fear of death.

Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He affirmed Christians whose bodies die never die because He gives eternal life to all who trust in Him.  John 11:25-26 reads, "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  Jesus previously spoke about Lazarus, who had been dead due to an illness four days, as sleeping.  Because humans were created by God in His image, we will all face the judgment of God as conscious beings after the death of our bodies to either enter into the rest and joy of the LORD in His presence by the Gospel or be damned to hell in eternal torment for our sin--which is the second death.  Those who are born twice will die only once all because Jesus became sin for us so we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

Colossians 3:1-3 exhorts believers in light of all Jesus is who is our life, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."  For Christians, our death should not loom fearfully in our future but is already over.  Having been raised with Christ, we are to seek those things which are above, that which is enduring, timeless and glorious--living after the glorious pattern of Christ rather than according to sinful flesh.  Thanks be to God who has taken away the sting of death and given us a glorious future and new identity through Jesus.  Knowing our death is in the past and we are called to walk by our Saviour in newness of life, this realisation by the power of the Holy Spirit will transform the way we live today.

In Land Not Sown

"Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ² "Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown."

Jeremiah 2:1-2

God is the same yesterday, today and forever; He is faithful and good towards all, and His people know this well.  Through the prophet God addressed His people, the children of Israel, about how over time they had changed.  During the season when God led them like a flock through the wilderness, they followed Him by faith with fervent desire.  This newborn nation followed God like a betrothed woman sought out her husband to walk with him--with only eyes for Him.  Sadly, Israel's devotion and kindness toward God did not remain steadfast.  God remembered how Israel once followed Him in the wilderness:  in a land not sown.

It is significant Israel followed God in a land not sown, for in this barren land there was no hope of harvest, wealth from a crop, or food for their little ones.  In the early days Israel did not follow God in the hope of personal gain, hoping to get something out of him like a gold digger who seeks to profit from the rich.  Over time the children of Israel continued with sacrifices, tithing and keeping feasts according to the Law of Moses, but their works became transactional and tinged with selfishness rather than kind and loving as in their youth when they gladly went after Him in the wilderness.  Boaz commended Ruth when she asked him to perform the duty of a kinsman redeemer in Ruth 3:10:  "Then he said, "Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich."  Boaz was a great deal older than Ruth, yet she did not go looking for the youngest, most handsome men to redeem her.  Instead she went to the one who already showed her kindness in providing a safe place to glean.

Even in early days God witnessed the departure of His people to go after idols that never saved a soul or helped them, and this was memorialised in in Moses' song in Deuteronomy 32:16-17:  "They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. ¹⁷ They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they did not know, to new gods, new arrivals that your fathers did not fear."  Though God had protected them and provided for all their needs, they were enticed by their lusts to seek benefits by worshipping idols that were not God.  The kindness spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah and Boaz conveys loyal love, faithfulness and joint obligation, godly character that ought to mark God's children expressed towards Him as we follow His example towards us.  God desires that we would gladly, freely seek Him and follow Him by faith in a land not sown, knowing He is our life and will supply all our needs.

Do you pray, read the Bible, go to church and serve out of love for the LORD--or because He has something you want?  We often can tell when people come to us with ulterior motives, and God is not fooled when we come to Him for selfish reasons.  As God's adopted children by faith in Jesus, let us be those who show more kindness at the end than at the beginning because we remember how kind and loving God has always been to us.  Even in a land not sown we should not be weary of doing good, for the LORD has promised we will reap if we do not lose heart.  Haven't we already received all we need for life and godliness by His grace (2 Peter 1:3)?

Praying and Waiting

Enjoyable and profitable conversation occurs when people are attentive to one another, listening and speaking in turn.  This exchange of ideas and deepening of relationship is greatly hindered if one does all the talking, if they habitually interrupt one another, or walks away without listening.  Every culture has its own nuance of what constitutes polite manners and decorum while conversing with one another, and consideration of the feelings and views of others is generally a good approach.

Ironically, our approach to conversing with people can be practically ignored in our prayers to God.  I have been guilty of doing all the talking and not taking a moment to still my heart and be silent before King Jesus, barging into his presence as if He does not know what I'm going to say.  I have made the mistake Peter did when Jesus was transfigured before his eyes, speaking because he did not know what to say.  When I have sought God's guidance and wisdom concerning a matter, I have rushed on without even waiting for an answer.  What folly!  In our communication with God this is more than bad manners, for our hearts can be tinged with unbelief and arrogance:  we have prayed, so we can assume we have God's blessing to do as we will.

I have observed that often when people say, "I prayed about it" in relation to seeking God's guidance, very seldom do they ever volunteer a clear answer from God.  In explaining how they know God's answer, typically people appeal to how they feel, that they "have a peace" about a certain course of action.  Interpreting past or current circumstances are also a means people employ to discern God's "answer."  Let me encourage you, dear Christian, that when you make petitions of the LORD for guidance and direction that you determine not to take action unless He speaks to you.  Now God can use our circumstances, things other people said, His word--really anything--to communicate His truth to our hearts.  Because the Bible is God's word and the Holy Spirit dwells in us, He helps us to understand the scripture and to submit our lives to Him.  People pray all the time to all kinds of things, thus praying does not mean we have heard God say anything.

God's promise in Psalm 91:15 is relevant to every Christian: "He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him."  God has promised to answer us, but have we waited for Him to speak before we did what we thought best?  Jeremiah 33:2-3 says, "Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): ³ 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'"  What a strange thing it would be to call a friend on the phone and hang up before there was opportunity for them to answer!  Now God may not answer our questions immediately as we kneel before Him, but we are called to be praying without ceasing and to make our requests known to God.  We can continue to bring our supplication and intercession before Him when it comes to mind throughout the day and night, and we are called to wait for His clear answer He has promised and is faithful to give.

Saying, "I prayed about it" is not sound justification to do as we please.  Saul's prayers went unanswered because he was unwilling to repent of his pride and would not heed what God said.  Many of our prayers may be met with prolonged silence for the same reason.  Let us be those who are quick to listen, slow to speak and faithful to heed the word of God He has given us in the Bible.  When we call upon the LORD He will answer us, and we can have confidence to do what God requires of us by His grace.  Daniel did not pray and then run to king Nebuchadnezzar with an interpretation until God clearly answered Him, and we ought to follow his godly example.  Are we willing to lose sleep to hear God's voice?  Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"