Principle of Projection

Jesus taught His disciples to observe what has been called the "Golden Rule," that as we should do unto others what we would have them do unto us (Matthew 7:8; Luke 6:31).  James said concerning the "royal law" in James 2:8-9, "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; ⁹ but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors."  From these passages a corollary can be drawn, that our tendency to show partiality to ourselves was a means to guide our conduct towards others.  Jesus calls us to a higher and better standard than that of Law, for He says we are to love one another as He loves us.

Paul explained in his letter to Roman believers that when we condemn others for doing wrong, we expose ourselves as being guilty of the same.  He wrote in Romans 2:1, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."  The one who is very concerned about others cheating in a game is due to being a cheater himself.  Those who are suspicious of others being gossips and talebearers reveals their inclination to do the same.  King Ahab is a perfect example of one who projected his own sinfulness upon the righteous prophet what he was guilty of himself.

The Bible objectively reveals in 1 Kings 21:25-26, "But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up. ²⁶ And he behaved very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel."  Yet hear what this wicked king said to the godly prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 18:17:  "Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?"  1 Kings 21:20 also reveals, "So Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" And he answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD..."  Ahab viewed Elijah as the "troubler of Israel" and "my enemy" when Ahab was the troubler of Israel and hostile towards Elijah and all God's prophets!

God told Israel of the corrupt condition of their rulers and corresponding action He would take to purge, refine and restore them in Isaiah 1:22-26:  "Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water. ²³ Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them. ²⁴ Therefore the Lord says, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, and take vengeance on My enemies. ²⁵ I will turn My hand against you, and thoroughly purge away your dross, and take away all your alloy. ²⁶ I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."  Praise God He is able to set things right after people go very wrong.

Based on these observations, one takeaway for me is should I feel someone is a troublemaker and my enemy, I must examine my heart to ensure I am not a troubler, combative and adversarial towards them.  The LORD calls me to examine my own heart and walk wisely in love, to avoid showing partiality to myself, justifying my sin because others are sinners.  As we consider God's word and submit to His guidance, He purges the dross and sin from our own lives as we humble ourselves before Him and one another.  There was hope for the rebellious princes, thieves and corrupt judges in Israel by repentance and obedience to God who upholds the cause of the fatherless and widow--and in Christ there is hope of restoration and renewal for us as well.

Free To Do Good

"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Galatians 5:13

As born again children of God by faith in Jesus, we have been called to liberty.  We have been freed from sin, the sinful demands of our flesh, fear of man, worry, death and the condemnation of the Law of Moses.  Paul compared the Law to a tutor that guided the Jews to please God until Jesus Christ came, and then the Law took them by the hand and handed them over to Jesus for Him to lead them individually and corporately who is greater than the Law.  Claiming to have "liberty" in our individualistic society is akin to saying, "I can do whatever I want."  This is not at all the posture Christians should adopt, for it vaunts self instead of submitting to God and one another in love.  Rather than using liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, through love Christians are called to serve one another.

Paul's caution against the misunderstanding and misuse of liberty shows it is possible to use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, to justify doing as we please because we feel entitled to do so.  Being raised in the United States, I cannot tell you how many times I heard people justify themselves by saying, "This is a free country."  My translation of that hackneyed phrase is, "I can say and do as I want because I can--regardless how it affects others."  As long as we live in a body of flesh in this world, we will be incorrigibly drawn to seek opportunity to please self rather than glorify God by serving one another in love.  The liberty Christ provides is not merely a liberty from law but liberty to love, forgive and serve others.  Prisoners released from prison can remain enslaved to sinful ways that landed them in prison in the first place, but our liberty is to be exercised as new creations through whom the life of Jesus is lived out daily.

Paul said in Galatians 5:14-18, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! ¹⁶ I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."  Our natural, fleshly appetite is to bite and devour one another, to lash out with words or actions that work to destroy people, reputations and relationships.  We are called to mortify these deeds of the flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit, and this is accomplished by following and obeying the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.  Those who try to control and force their flesh to submit by power of the flesh will ultimately fail, but all who walk in the Spirit shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

The liberty we have been called to is not primarily focused on what we do or avoid doing but all God has called us to be.  By Jesus Christ the world was crucified to Paul and he was crucified unto the world: they were dead to one another by all Jesus mightily accomplished by His death and resurrection, having made Paul a new creation.  Adherence to the Law of Moses regarding whether a male was circumcised or not (which was a huge point of contention in the early church) had no power over people who were in Christ.  Jesus provided an example of serving one another in love when He took the place of a slave and washed the feet of His disciples before dying on the cross for their redemption.  Those who are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit will heed Paul's exhortation in Galatians 6:10:  "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Let Us Reason Together

Anyone who keeps an eye on the news or has internet access has likely heard of the murder of Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist who for years engaged in open public debates on university campuses.  His approach provided an opportunity for students and professors to speak with him of their own free will, and passers-by were welcome to listen in.  To the very end, Charlie spoke with people believing they were worthy to be reasoned with--even when their views or actions were unreasonable.  Based on his approach to public debate, Charlie believed it was worth his time to speak with those who were hostile to him and God.

Speaking for myself, I try to do everything as efficiently as possible.  I also prefer to see some sort of progression towards a goal.  When I faced a seized bolt I could not remove with a spanner, I pivoted to a grinder.  Should I converse with someone who is firmly set in their views and unwilling to listen to reason, then I do not press the point to avoid being heavy-handed.  Yet God is willing to call prophets to speak to people who will not listen, and He provides opportunities by His grace for unreasonable and stubborn sinners to reason with Him in Isaiah 1:18:  "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."  God is willing to speak even with those who will not listen to Him, and His people ought to walk in His ways.  God will extend an audience to those who come to Him in faith.

I am not God, and it is ridiculous for me to imagine I can know human hearts.  Thus it would be unwise for me to write people off as unworthy of reasoning with even when our interactions have been unpleasant and unproductive.  To everyone God has given a soul also have the capacity for rational thought, and even minds hijacked by lies and self-righteousness God can overcome.  I am convinced a sound argument and reason cannot change anyone's mind or heart:  I must rely on God to do this in me and in others.  I am called to love God and love other people, and God's love is demonstrated in listening and caring about people as well as speaking truth.  As Todd Wagner is credited with saying, "Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth."  Jesus didn't allow the hatred of the chief priests and Pharisees to silence Him from speaking with them or others, and neither should we.

Jesus said Matthew 7:6, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."  As pigs trample precious pearls tossed at them, sharing priceless spiritual truths does not make unbelievers value them.  There is a time when continued discussion is of no benefit as Jesus said in Matthew 15:14:  "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Yet Jesus demonstrated He was willing to continue to go among the unclean, barking, self-righteous and easily offended sinners because He loved them all.  Jesus continued to open His heart and His mouth to others after being despised and rejected continually.  By the power of the Holy Spirit who empowers born again Christians to do God's will, He leads us into truth and in our hour of need will teach us what to say.

In a world where people labour to cultivate a public image or gain followers, followers of Jesus Christ are called to prepare our hearts and minds to present ourselves approved to God, rightly dividing His word (2 Timothy 2:15).  Even if we suffer for the sake of righteousness, we are blessed and can remain fearless of anything man can do to us.  Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:15-16, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."  We are called to be ready to share the reason for the hope that is in us with meekness and fear of God.  Man may revile us for speaking the truth of God's word, but we can have a good conscience before God.  Since we will all stand before God, let us take a stand for His sake today and every day.

The Advance of God's Kingdom

One aspect of the body of Christ the church I have grown to appreciate is the unity of believers with diversity.  As members of our physical bodies have different purposes and functions, all members are to operate with the good of the whole as led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Though there is one church it is comprised of many fellowships that have their own flavour, style and points of emphasis.  One church may be focused more on discipleship, whilst another can be more missionary minded or politically engaged.  God places individuals within each church who are unique from everyone else with their own individual callings, convictions and way of following Jesus.

Those who God calls to be in pastoral ministry do well to continue in what they know and have heard from God, to remain faithful to their purpose to preach the word of God.  There are pastors who make political and social issues the main thrust of their sermons, and they have this freedom to do as they are led by the LORD.  I do not share the conviction of pastor I recently saw interviewed, that "Politics is the highest form of community."  For the Christian, the highest form of community is our union with God by His Spirit and with one another in the church.  Even as God has given us leeway concerning our biblical convictions (outside the non-negotiables concerning the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Gospel), He allows freedom in our political views as well.  I believe God has Christians in politics, and it is by the hearing and studying of God's word that leads to biblically sound views--whether it be in business, a marriage, raising children or in the political sphere.

One thing I observe in the life of Jesus is how apolitical He was.  Many times He chose not to take sides when He had the opportunity to wield great political influence.  Again, there is nothing wrong with being engaged in political activism.  But we ought to keep in mind the focus of Christ and disciples like Paul were on the kingdom of God--not on the current government or political climate.  Rather than taking the fight to a corrupt Roman political system, Paul urged believers with all meekness and gentleness to go to battle against their own foolish thinking God's way in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6:  "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."  Our wrestle is not against flesh and blood but principalities, powers, against rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12)  In submission to God in what He calls us to do, we can trust His kingdom will be advanced by His Spirit in our personal and social interactions.

It is remarkable to me the huge impact a handful of believers made on the world as they obeyed Jesus to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered from on high.  10 days after the ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came upon about 120 of them as they gathered in one accord in prayer, and the world has never been the same after the church was birthed by God on the Day of Pentecost.  10 days of obedience to God led to great revival and transformation by faith in Jesus Christ that has continued to positively impact people, culture, society, family and politics to this day.  Activism and political causes will come and go, but those who abide in Jesus and obey His word will be fruitful and endure forever.

Peace From Sea to Sea

Psalm 72 is a song written by David and the heading in my Bible says, "A Psalm for Solomon."  When I read the lyrics of the song, what is written about David's son Solomon and fulfilled in part will be ultimately and completely fulfilled by the Son of David:  Jesus Christ.  In the song, David asked for the king to be given God's judgments and righteousness.  Though Solomon was given great wisdom from God, he did not always walk wisely.  The more I read in this passage, with a prophetic lens we see it alludes clearly to someone greater than Solomon--and Christ affirmed He was indeed that person.  Speaking of Himself and the present generation that rejected Him, Jesus said in Luke 11:31:  "The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here."

The name of Solomon pales in comparison to the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah who is both KING OF KINGS and great High Priest.  David wrote prophetically of Jesus whose name is above all in Psalm 72:17-19:  "His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed. ¹⁸ Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! ¹⁹ And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen."  Paul affirmed it was at the name of Jesus every knee would bow and every tongue confess to the glory of God the Father.  Solomon will one day bow before Jesus Christ His king along with every other created being.

There is one part of the song which has been my meditation the past couple days in Psalm 72:7-8:  "In His days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. ⁸ He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth."  The long and prosperous reign of Solomon is a hint of Christ's future millennial reign when He returns to judge the earth in righteousness, and His reign will endure after the sun and moon no longer shine.  The righteous reign of Jesus will be a global dominion, for King Solomon's lands only reached from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.  In recent times I have heard a slogan that goes, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."  This slogan does not account for Psalm 72:7 which says the domain of the Son of David is from sea to sea, from the Jordan River to the ends of the earth.  The rule and authority of Jesus extends over the entire earth He created with words from His mouth, and the whole universe is filled with His glory.

Jesus cautioned His disciples not to be deceived or troubled in Matthew 24:5-6:  "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."  Slogans and fighting words against Israel and God's people ought not to trouble us, and even when the end comes we have nothing to fear but God as we follow Jesus.  The rise of deceptions, threats and violence will grow, but now and forever we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).  Killing Jesus did not result in Him rotting in the grave, for He has risen in glory and will ultimately rule the nations with a rod of iron.  Even threats and murder can be redeemed by God to advance His kingdom.  What peace and comfort we have as Christ's disciples, for His yoke is easy and His burden light.

Pray and Don't Lose Heart

Jesus spoke a parable to illustrate how people always ought to pray and not lose heart in Luke 18.  He spoke of a persistent widow who continued to urge a judge who did not fear God or man to avenge her.  Ultimately it was not a desire for justice but on account of personal annoyance he decided to take action on her case.  He was weary and troubled by the widow pestering him, so to get rid of her he avenged her.  Jesus concluded in Luke 18:6-8, "Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. ⁷ And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? ⁸ I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"  Jesus affirmed God will surely avenge His people!  We are assured God will respond to the prayers of His own people He loves who cry out day and night to Him.

The point Jesus made was it was not really a question if God could or would answer the prayers of His people, but would His people who claim to trust in Him persist in prayer?  Would they lose heart?  Paul urged believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  God's will is for people to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks.  While God is faithful to hear and answer prayer, He looks upon the hearts of people looking to find faith and truth in the inner man.  He is not pleased to heed the prayers of people who pray to idols or those who refuse to hear or obey His words.  Because God loves His people, He will go to great lengths to turn their hearts to Him through judgment rather than coddle them by giving them everything they ask for.

Case in point:  God's people had been guilty of idolatry and refusing to hear the prophets God sent to warn them.  Because they had forsaken God sold themselves to do great evil, consequences for their sin was inevitable; they could not talk themselves out of trouble.  Jeremiah 11:11-14 says, "Therefore thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them. ¹² Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble. ¹³ For according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem you have set up altars to that shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal. ¹⁴ "So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble."

When God's idolatrous people cried out to Him--as well as their idols--He chose not to respond to their prayers to show the powerlessness of their false gods.  God told Jeremiah not even to bother praying for them because His judgments against them were set in the stone of the Law of Moses they ignored and He would uphold.  For Christians today, God's will concerning our praying continually without losing heart is abundantly clear.  Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1-2:  "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."  It is good for us to be aware of the powerful impact a humble heart, contrition and repentance for sin has on our prayers--even more than the precise words we say or how long we pray.  God looks upon the heart, and those who humble themselves before Him in faith will always have an audience with the almighty God by His grace.

Daily Spiritual Renewal

"For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."

2 Corinthians 4:15-16

As I walked early this morning, evidence of spring renewal was everywhere.  Trees were covered in white and pink blossoms, small green leaves have begun to emerge on deciduous trees, magpies foraged for their young, and the winter chill was gone from the air.  In His wisdom, God created the earth with seasons where winter rest precedes a period of renewal, growth and fruitfulness in the spring.  This led me to consider what Paul meant when he said the "inward man" of a believer is being renewed day by day.  Unlike the four seasons we experience in nature that last for months, spiritual renewal of Christians is intended by God to be our daily experience.

People can lose heart due to disappointments, dashed expectations and physical pains.  Many can be frustrated and feel hopeless about our physical bodies which wear out and perish like everything on earth that at one time was new.  Paul did not lose heart in the tribulations he faced for Christ's sake or his aching joints because day by day he was being renewed with spiritual strength and sure expectation of receiving good from God according to the riches of God's grace.  The psalmist spoke of the renewal of animals on the earth by God's power in Psalm 104:29-30:  "You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. ³⁰ You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth."  After Noah, his family and animals were preserved the ark during the great flood, God's renewal of the earth has continued every year and every day without fail.  Observing God's renewal in the natural realm illustrates the spiritual renewal God desires to do in us day by day.

It struck me:  what if Noah, his family and animals decided to remain in the ark due to fear of future rains and flooding?  When the ship rested on Mt. Ararat and the olive leaf had been fetched by a dove from a tree to affirm the waters had dried up on the earth, it was time for a new season to emerge from the ark, explore and inhabit the new world God brought out of the previous global devastation.  All living things saved alive in the ark were to go forth, and God would make them to be fruitful and multiply.  Though exploring and settling in the land would require hard labour, it was good for Noah and his family to depart the cramped quarters of the ark and even use it for scrap in building projects--knowing God would keep His word to never again flood the earth with water to destroy it.  Spry youths grow weary and faint, but those who wait on the LORD will have their strength renewed to miraculously do spiritually what is impossible for our bodies:  to mount up with wings as eagles, to run without weariness and walk with Christ without needing to stop (Isaiah 40:28-31).

The invitation of the beloved to the Shulamite to venture outside to appreciate God's renewal of the land is fitting for Christians to consider spiritually in this new day God has made in Song of Songs 2:10-14:  "My beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. ¹¹ For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. ¹² The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. ¹³ The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away! ¹⁴ "O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely."  The Shulamite needed encouragement to rise and go toward the one who loved her, and Christians need encouragement as well to rise from our winter slumber.  The winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers are blooming, birds are singing and fruit is growing.  This is the spiritual reality when Jesus Christ renews our inward man day by day.  Will we remain bundled up in the dark, afraid of being rained on when the Light of the World shines and calls us by name to rise and seek Him?

Freedom and Responsibility

Growing up in the United States, there was regular talk of our rights and freedoms.  While the Beastie Boys sang raucously to fight for your right to party, the talk in school and on the playground often went to our Constitutional right to freedom of speech and to bear arms.  We felt entitled and deserving of the rights handed to us, and as we grew to adulthood many were fiercely protective of rights as well as pushing to secure additional rights.  For all I heard about rights, however, I heard very little about our responsibilities and duties as God-fearing citizens.  The rights touted by the founding fathers endowed by God who created mankind of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness in our modern day often do not include God or His purposes at all.

While the world around me seemed to dismiss the responsibilities and duties of U.S. citizens with disdain, I was raised by parents who feared God and sought to please Him.  In our household there was a very clear correlation between obedience to authority and additional freedoms earned, and at any time they could be forfeited by rebellious behaviour.  There was a strong emphasis on us kids taking personal responsibility to do what our parents required and expected of us with the understanding there would be plenty of opportunity provided for us to do as we pleased as well--within the structure established by my parents.  Work was prioritised over play, and after the work was completed there was wide latitude for going to friend's houses, playing with toys, enjoying games or watching a movie.

One marked difference in the kingdom of God from earthly systems and structures is the provision of grace that cannot be earned.  All the rights, benefits and privileges of God's children are offered freely by God for us to receive.  But a common thread found in both worlds is that of personal responsibility and duty to be wise and circumspect in the exercise of our freedom.  Paul stated there were lawful things which were not beneficial in 1 Corinthians 6:12:  "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."  Having been born again and washed from sin, Paul and all Christians are responsible before God to walk in wisdom and be circumspect, ensuring we are using the freedoms God has given us in a beneficial way that honours Him.

With the freedom we have in Christ, Paul wrote of many responsibilities of Christians that concern our hearts and conduct in Ephesians 5:1-4:  "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

²  and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." (NIV)  For anyone who touts their freedom from the Law of Moses or freedoms provided by right of citizenship, we ought to consider the standard of holiness and righteousness God requires of every Christian in His kingdom.  Having received all freedom by God's grace, we ought heed Christ's example to walk in love, to repent of sin when God convicts us, to speak wisdom with thanksgiving to God.

Keep On Moving

I was part of a generation that embraced going to university at a level that seemed unprecedented.  Part of the drive was to "work smarter, not harder," to work with their brains rather than with their hands.  The chances of embarking on a more lucrative career seemed more certain by earning a bachelor's degree, and tertiary education in university seems more widespread, expected and even required than ever before.  While there are benefits to earning degrees that prepare people for vocations and industries, having a degree is no guarantee of being industrious or having a strong work ethic.  Character and integrity are not donned as easily as a cap and gown.

In the book of Ruth, the readers can observe a young widow of godly character with an inspirational drive to work.  From morning until evening, she gleaned barley in the field of Boaz to provide food for her mother-in-law Naomi and herself.  In the Law of Moses, God bestowed dignity on the stranger, poor, widow and fatherless on the freedom to work and obtain food for themselves.  In our day when "hard work" seems to be two four-letter words that are more offensive to modern sensibilities than vulgar expletives, it is good for Christians to gladly embrace this dignified effort in every honest form.

Believe it or not, the ability to do profitable labour is a gift of God as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:18-19:  "Here is what I have seen: it is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. ¹⁹ As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God."  Work is not a consequence of sin entering the world, for Adam was tasked by God to tend the Garden of Eden before the fall.  To refuse to work is a rejection of our God-given heritage and calling, and by His grace we can be personally enriched by our exertions.  Paul viewed work as a matter of the will, for anyone who would not work could also forgo eating (2 Thess. 3:10).  To view retirement from paid employment as justification to cease from labour is out of step with the heritage God has given us, for God is faithful to open new avenues of labour for His sake.

In addition to Paul example of working with his hands to support his Gospel efforts, he provided exhortations in Ephesians 6:5-9 for God-fearing employees and business owners alike:  "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. ⁹ And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him."  Our work is to be done knowing Jesus Christ is our Master who causes us and others to profit by our faithful labour.  Should a day come we cannot do physical or menial work as we did before, let us continue to be active in loving and serving others however we can.  The most general definition of work is to move, and may we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as He does His work in and through us by His grace.

God in Your Theology

I remember an anecdote shared by pastor Steve Mays in a sermon.  He shared how he was driving with pastor Chuck Smith and a memorable discussion they had.  At one point he lamented, "It's lonely at the top."  Steve said he felt like an idiot when Chuck responded with a gentle rebuke:  "I don't understand your theology."  Chuck's response helped alert Steve to the fact his feelings had become an echo chamber that ignored much of what Steve believed was true:  the call of every Christian and pastor is to serve, to take the lowest place as we follow the example of Jesus; and God is with us and will never leave or forsake us.  If we are feeling lonely, like there is no one to talk to or can understand what we are going through, it very well may be we have forgotten about God who is with us!

The exchange between Steve and Chuck as they drove along illustrates how the theology of Christians can become theoretical.  We say the Bible is God's word and every word of God is pure, yet we can forget to apply what we know be true to our current situation.  Our feelings can impact us so profoundly we can be blind to our own folly, and our thoughts, attitudes and decisions can resemble those of a lost soul--not one who is born again, indwelt, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit.  Situations feel impossible for us to navigate, so we operate on the assumption it must be hard for God as well.  Should our struggles continue for a long time, we imagine they will continue forever.  Like king Saul who observed the Philistine camp growing and his own troops deserting, we panic and think the best course of action is to take matters into our own hands.

The Pharisees were experts at devising hoops for people to jump through be more assured of God's favour by their tradition, and would you believe we can do the same thing with God?  We imagine there is an involved process required for God to intervene and help us in the midst of a trial, a complicated series of conditions which we must meet or precise wording we must utilise for God to be God.  This is what the lame man by the pool of Bethesda did.  He was among a throng of people who were blind, maimed and lame who waited for the stirring of the water by an angel, for they believed the first one who entered the water would be healed of any affliction.  John 5:6-7 says, "When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" ⁷ The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."  See how this man had arbitrarily and unnecessarily made hoops for God to heal him!  He could not even answer the direct question of Jesus due to his own inability, lack and previous failures.

See what happened next in John 5:8-9:  "Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." ⁹ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath."  Jesus did not need to wait until the water was stirred, and He did not need to hurriedly place the man in the pool at all.  Jesus simply said the word, and the man was completely healed and enabled to walk.  It seems the man had no place for Jesus Christ in His theology:  though Jesus the Son of God came right up to Him, he could only think about his inability to navigate the complicated process he devised himself.  How about you, Christian?  What place does Jesus Christ have in your theology?  Have you come up with a complicated obstacle course that lies between you and deliverance or salvation?  Or do you keep Jesus in His rightful place as your Redeemer, Saviour and Good Shepherd who will never leave or forsake you, the almighty God who does everything?

Danger of Abiding Anger

"Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools."

 Ecclesiastes 7:9

How grateful I am the almighty God is slow to anger!  His anger is not easily inflamed, nor does His rage burn continually.  Psalm 103:8-12 speaks of the character of God:  "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. ⁹ He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; ¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."  God's righteous anger for sin is always justified, and His wrath and vengeance will be ultimately satisfied.

It is ironic the God who lives forever will not always be angry, yet anger is given residence in the hearts of fools for the duration of their lives which are soon over.  The Bible describes fools as those who do not believe God exists, that there is no Creator or Judge of the earth before whom they will appear on the day of judgment, the almighty who has the power and authority to cast souls into hell or save them for eternity.  Even God's people can be angry and vengeful, and thus many Bible passages warn of the dangers of remaining angry and being filled with wrath--regardless of the reason.  We observe the folly of Cain who was angry because Abel's offering was accepted and he was rejected by God, and he lashed out and killed his brother.

Anger rested in Cain's heart, and it did not remain hidden or contained there.  Pride and envy urged anger to violent action, and Cain felt justified to murder his brother.  Cain's sin had a devastating effect upon his family, brother and his own life--and it started with feelings of anger we have all experienced.  Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us Christians can be angry without sin, but remaining filled with wrath gives opportunity for Satan's wicked, lying influence:  "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil."  Paul concluded the chapter with a good exhortation for all followers of Jesus in Ephesians 4:31-32:  "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

Since we Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them, we are divinely enabled to do as Paul has said.  Rather than justifying anger that fuels us to say evil and seek vengeance, the life of Jesus can be lived through us by being longsuffering, slow to anger and forgiving.  A desire to see justice done is from God, but when anger resides in our hearts we are no longer being led by the Holy Spirit.  Rather than justify harbouring anger in our hearts, we ought to enter the rest God provides all who are weary, hurting and needy by active reliance upon Jesus.  He is the Judge of all the earth, and as Abraham said, He will always do right.  Knowing vengeance is the LORD's, we need not allow anger, hatred or wrath to dwell in our hearts any longer.

A Timely Rebirth

It is normal to read a passage of scripture and have no idea what it means because it is God's word and is foreign to us.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, however, reading the Bible with understanding is far easier than sifting through tax forms, legal documents or medical publications.  The LORD is able to make His word go straight to our hearts and sheds light on life in ways we never previously considered.  I love and appreciate God's word is true, trustworthy and relevant.  Often God's word is a personal call to action, and He supplies instruction and correction that is always wise and practical.

Ecclesiastes 6:3-4 was part of my Bible reading this morning God shed light on for me:  "If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.  ⁴ For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness."  The contrast between the man with 100 children who lived a long life and a stillborn child was unexpected and shocking.  It is remarkable a child who never lived a day could be better thought of and remembered than a father of many children, and it is indeed possible.  Man can achieve and acquire many possessions; he can sire children and build an empire.  But if his soul is not filled with good--if he is ungodly and no one cares to remember him--an unborn child has more going for him.  From Solomon's temporal, worldly perspective, what advantage did the man who lived a long life have over the unborn child when they both go to the grave?

This comparison provoked much thought for me.  To live and develop the reputation of being greedy, wicked, surly and selfish, what a waste it would be of the opportunity God gives us to honour Him and reflect well upon the grace and blessings God has provided us.  It is incredible the one who lived long and accomplished much can be less thought of than the stillborn child who never said a word or lived a day.  We do not know how long we will live, but our choices make a difference how we will be remembered by God and other people.  Those who are born again by faith in Christ and live life in light of God's goodness to them will be well-remembered on earth and have an eternal legacy in the presence of God.  Right when we needed God, Jesus came to us in His time and way to be with us forever.

God gives us one lifetime, and the only day we can do anything is today:  we have this one day to be generous, loving and kind.  Today we can be a caring listener, helper and godly leader.  Today is our one chance to love our spouse, children and friends, and in His strength we can make the most of this present moment to serve and do good.  In looking to God we see what is truly good, and He guides us to live in the way that pleases Him.  People do not need children or a long life to be satisfied in the life God graciously gives us, for to be His children forever is our greatest privilege.  Without Christ our lives spiritually resemble a stillborn child, great potential for life ultimately unrealised.  Paul considered himself "born out of due time" (1 Cor. 15:7) and when it comes to being born again by faith in Jesus:  "Better late than never!"

Way of Agape

In The Call written by Os Guinness, he provides insight of the contrast between love that is of the world and the love of God.  God's love is truly foreign to this world, and it is revealed by Jesus coming to us sinners for our good though we are unworthy.  We look upon what we love with favour that is fickle and can quickly dissipate when our needs, desires or expectations are unmet, yet God is love.  He has demonstrated His love for us by sending His only begotten Son to die for us while we were sinners.  Consider the contrast between eros and agape explained in The Call:

"One view of love is the way of eros.  It sees the search as "the great ascent" of humans toward their desired goal.  For the Greeks in particular and the ancient world generally, eros was love as desire, yearning, or appetite aroused by the attractive qualities of the object of its desire--whether honor, recognition, truth, justice, beauty, love, or God.  To seek is therefore to long to love and so to direct one's desire and love to an object through which, in possessing it, one expects to be made happy.  From this perspective, seeking is loving that becomes desiring that becomes possessing that becomes happiness.  For experience shows that "we all want to be happy," as Cicero said in Hortensius, and reasonable thought would indicate that the greatest happiness comes in possessing the greatest good.

The rival view of love is the way of agape, which sees the secret of the search as "the great descent."  Love seeks out the seeker--not because the seeker is worthy of love but simply because love's nature is to love regardless of the worthiness or merit of the one loved.  This view agrees with both the Eastern and the Greek views that desire is at the very core of human existence.  But it agrees with the Greek view and differs from the Eastern in believing that desire itself is (or can be) good, not evil.  The legitimacy of the desire depends on the legitimacy of the object desired.  All human beings are alike in seeking happiness.  Where they differ is in the objects from which they seek it and the strength they have to reach the objects they desire.

The way of agape is the way introduced by Jesus.  It parts company with the way of eros at two points:  the goals and the means of the search.  First, the way of agape says, "By all means love, by all means desire, but think carefully about what you love and what you desire."  Those who follow eros are not wrong to desire happiness but wrong to think that happiness is to be found where they seek it.  The very fact that we humans experience desire is proof that we are creatures.  Incomplete in ourselves, we desire whatever we think is beckoning to complete us.

God alone needs nothing outside himself, because he himself is the highest and the only lasting good.  So all objects we desire short of God are as finite and incomplete as we ourselves are and, therefore, disappointing if we make them the objects of ultimate desire.

Our human desire can go wrong in two ways:  we we stop desiring anything outside ourselves and fall for the pathetic illusion that we are sufficient in ourselves, or when we desire such things as fame, riches, beauty, wisdom, and human love that are as finite as we are and thus unworthy of our absolute devotion.

The way of agape insists that, because true satisfaction and real rest can only be found in the highest and most lasting good, all seeking short of the pursuit of God brings only restlessness.  This is what Augustine meant in his famous saying in Book One of Confessions:  "You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you."

Second, the way of agape parts company with the way of eros over the means of the search.  Considering the distance between the creature and the Creator, can any de Vinci-like seeker--however dedicated, brilliant, virtuous, tireless, and however much a genius by human standards--hope to bridge the the chasm?  The answer, realistically, is no.  We cannot find God without God.  We cannot reach God without God.  We cannot satisfy God without God--which is another way of saying that our seeking will always fall short unless God's grace initiates the search and unless God's call draws us to him and completes the search.

If the chasm is to be bridged, God must bridge it.  If we are to desire the highest good, the highest good must come down and draw us so that it may become a reality we desire.  From this perspective there is no merit in either seeking or finding.  All is grace.  The secret of seeking is not in our human ascent to God, but in God's descent to us.  We start our searching, but we end up being discovered.  We think we are looking for something; we realize we are found by Someone.  As in Francis Thompson's famous picture, "the hound of heaven" has tracked us down.  What brings us home is not our discovery of the way home but the call of the Father who has been waiting there for us all along, whose presence there makes home home." (Guinness, Os. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. Thomas Nelson, 2003. pages 12-14)

Disagreement Without Division

While studying the book of Ruth, I was struck with an interaction between Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth.  As they travelled to Bethlehem, Naomi urged both of her widowed daughters-in-law to return to their mothers houses, to go back to their own people and gods.  Orpah eventually did so, but Ruth clung to Naomi and professed her unwavering commitment to Naomi.  She was willing to leave behind the hope of remarriage and children to live where Naomi lived, and chose to embrace a new identity by faith in the God of Israel. 

Ruth 1:18 described Naomi's response:  "When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her."  Naomi had been very forthright and insistent returning to Moab was in Ruth's best interest, but Ruth was of another mind.  When Naomi saw Ruth's mind was made up, that her heels were dug in and she would not be swayed, Naomi dropped the subject.  The verse does not mean Naomi gave Ruth the silent treatment and refused to converse because her advice had been rejected.  The following chapters contain much conversation between the two, so it is clear they remained on speaking terms.

The decision of Naomi to strongly make her case and to drop the subject when it was clear she and Ruth disagreed is a good example for Christians to observe--especially when disagreements arise about personal or controversial subjects.  God has given everyone unique personalities, perspectives, interests and convictions, and with our diversity brings differences.  It is a tragedy when differences of opinion, emphasis or practice become divisive because people are unwilling to drop a subject after it becomes clear people are not in agreement.  In such cases it is good to be reminded of all we share in common by faith in Jesus Christ who has united us with the Holy Spirit as one to follow, serve and glorify Christ together.

After Naomi repeatedly urged Ruth to depart, Ruth told her not to say anything further on the subject. Naomi showed wisdom by listening to her daughter-in-law even as she wanted Ruth to listen and consider her advice.  Naomi was willing to agree to disagree on the matter of their opinions where Ruth should go and live, and Christians ought to extend grace to others as well.  It is reasonable those God has given His word and Spirit can judge among themselves, have different views, and remain united in the love of Jesus Christ.  Since coming to Christ, haven't your views been refined over time?  God who gives discernment for us to walk wisely can instruct and refine others as well.

Knowing only God can change hearts and minds, even when we are convinced we are in the right we need not continue to hammer away at those who have different or contrary views.  Paul affirmed this freedom concerning convictions in Romans 14:5:  "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind."  While Paul put forth strong arguments to support his doctrine and manner of life, he did not imagine it was his responsibility to change people's minds because God is able to do the impossible.  He said in Philippians 3:15, "Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."

Humans are inclined to be divided by differences and become divisive.  We prefer to pressure others to change than God using a person we do not agree with as being His instrument to change us.  We would rather leave or have others leave us than trusting and submitting to God by leaving the convincing of others to God and continuing in fellowship with them.  If we say we love God, then we ought to love one another and value the unity and oneness we share by faith in Jesus.

A Disciple Illustration

During a recent men's breakfast at church, we were treated to hear testimonies of God's faithfulness to work in the lives of His people.  I was encouraged and blessed by those who shared from the heart.

There was one story that opened up a fresh perspective of discipleship.  When people speak of or consider discipleship, often people look to spiritual disciplines like reading the Bible, regular times of prayer, attending gatherings with fellow believers to worship God, giving, fasting and Christian service--actions that are done outwardly and are quantifiable.  Some feel if they are doing these things more whilst avoiding sin they are doing well in their relationship with God, and this can be true.  Since the Pharisees were very good at maintaining their religious exterior without having hearts transformed by the Gospel, the embrace of spiritual disciplines do not necessarily correlate with being saved.

A brother rehearsed an event which happened years ago as a teen when he was smacked in the mouth by the school bully.  Raised in a Christian home, he said it was the first time he remembered doing something contrary to his will for the sake of Jesus.  After being struck in the mouth, he heard three voices:  his mother saying "Destroy him!", his father advising "Do what you think is right," and the voice of Jesus who said, "Turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39).  He had previously identified as a Christian, read the Bible, went to church and prayed, but that deliberate act to turn the other cheek was a massive step of faith in Jesus to deny himself and instead follow Jesus as LORD.

This is a wonderful illustration of what it means to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus.  As Christians, there should be moments on a daily basis when we deliberately lay aside our will to obey what Jesus has commanded us, to follow His example rather than the inclinations of our flesh.  Intentional obedience to Jesus is divinely translated into love for Him, for Jesus told His disciples in John 14:15:  "If you love Me, keep My commandments."  There are many voices that impress themselves upon us, but genuine disciples of Jesus will deny themselves to do as He says.

Aspects of Atonement

The Law of Moses presents an accurate snapshot of God's judgments and statutes.  What is forbidden under Law is contrary to God's good character--like the perversion of justice by receiving bribes.  The assumption God is partial to people based on their "good deeds" is foreign to the kingdom of God, for the LORD commanded in Deuteronomy 16:19-20:  "You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. ²⁰ You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you."  The God of gods has revealed He does not regard persons nor receives rewards, for He executes judgment on behalf of all (Deut. 10:17-18).

It is important to understand sacrifice in itself does not and cannot provide atonement for sin.  The passage which speaks of Cain and Abel both offering sacrifices demonstrates God will not receive a sacrifice from one He does not respect--for Cain had no respect for God or His ways.  Under the Law of Moses sinners required the services of a sanctified priest to participate in the offering of sacrifices, and atonement for sin was made by shedding the blood of the prescribed animal.  The Strong's Concordance defines "atonement" as "to cover over, pacify, make propitiation."  Webster's definition gives insight into various aspects of atonement:  "1) Agreement; concord; reconciliation, after enmity or controversy; 2) expiation; satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing or suffering that which is received in satisfaction for an offense or injury."

Atonement for sin requires two major aspects:  coming into agreement with God for reconciliation and making an acceptable payment to satisfy or cover a debt.  Some overlook the first and most important aspect of atonement, assuming payment is the main thing God cares about.  Since God and His righteous standards do not change, it is man who must change by submission to God and choosing to agree with Him.  Without a change of heart that is brought into agreement with God through repentance, any sacrifice offered is in vain.  Psalm 51:17 reads, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart--these, O God, You will not despise."  To think God must receive us due to our sacrifices and is thus obligated to deem us in good standing with Him--without consideration of our hearts and motives--is presumptuous and folly.  God is not a respecter of persons but is discerning as Psalm 34:18 says:  "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

We ought to be sorry for our sin, but contrition does not excuse us from paying the price necessary to satisfy justice.  Praise God Jesus (our great High Priest who is righteous in Himself) has provided the required means of atonement through His shed blood, and all who repent and trust in Him can be born again, forgiven and receive eternal life by the Gospel.  See how there must be humble agreement with God coupled with a price paid to receive atonement for sin?  This is one reason why the death and resurrection of Jesus will not have a saving effect for those who will not receive Him.  Like Cain who would not submit or humble himself before God, their good deeds will not benefit them.  We Christians ought to rejoice that while we were enemies of God we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son Jesus, and having been reconciled we shall be saved by His life through whom we received atonement (Romans 5:10-11).

Life and Rest in Jesus

Have you ever heard someone say, "Where there is no vision the people perish?"  I have heard this repeated so often I have memorised it, yet it is only the first half of the verse!  I actually have never heard anyone say the verse in full, and when people employ partial quotes of scripture to emphasise a point I am wary of missing the main point God intended.  Typically people quote this verse to show the importance of a vision and the danger of lacking it, yet ignoring the second half of the verse and the immediate context allows "vision" (KJV) to mean a great many things that may not be scriptural.

Proverbs 29:17-19 says, "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. ¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. ¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer."  The verses before and after verse 18 contain the subject of correction, and this connects well with this purpose of God's Law given to Moses.  A feature of Hebrew wisdom books and poetry is parallelism, and this antithetical parallelism provides the first and second parts of verse 18 as contrasting statements.  Therefore this "vision" is not speaking of visionary leadership or a goal people make to work towards but the revelation of God through His word.  The connection between vision and divine revelation and guidance of God's word is affirmed in 1 Samuel 3:1:  "And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision."

Those under the covenant of Law were instructed, governed, guided, corrected and blessed to observe God's commandments that led them to walk uprightly.  There were benefits for parents who corrected their son, and there was blessing and rest for those who submitted to God's correction.  Like verse 19 said, often words were not sufficient to produce change in a servant, and in His wisdom God allowed individuals and all Israel to endure consequences for their sin to further refine them.  Those who looked to the Law of Moses were looking to God's word, and this is the spiritual vision spoken of in verse 18 that promotes life.  In the New Testament, Christians are exhorted to look unto Jesus and consider Him--His words, actions, teachings and endurance of trials in obedience to His Father--so we might avoid weariness and being faint in our minds (Heb. 12:1-3).  The traditional hymn "Be Thou My Vision" conveys the sense of verse 18 well:  only Jesus can prevent our perishing.

The vision being spoken of by Solomon is not a one-off vision in the night, a dream or plan we make for ourselves but spiritual insight we receive of God and understanding of His righteousness, holiness and goodness.  When people experienced literal visions in scripture it was more than conveying information but was instructive, corrective and a call to definite action.  It would be tragic for people to seek a vision when God has already revealed Himself through God's word and Jesus Christ!  Jesus said to religious Jews 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."  Without seeing Jesus Christ as the Son of God, people headed towards ruin.  It is Jesus who is our Life and rest, our Saviour who saves, corrects and keeps us.  Happy is the man who looks to Jesus and follows Him faithfully, for He who opens blind eyes gives the Holy Spirit and guides us into all truth.

Pigeons and the Kingdom of God

Yesterday I visited Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park with family and enjoyed seeing the native birds, mammals and reptiles of Australia.  When we arrived the carpark was filled with tour buses, and the park was as crowded as I had ever seen.  Over time the crowds dissipated, and our leisurely stroll through the enclosures of animals both familiar and exotic to me was pleasant.

One thing I like about Featherdale is how the animals in some areas have freedom to move around and interact with guests but can also remain in a "refuge" that is off-limits to the public.  This means a hands-on experience with a wallaby or kangaroo is possible if they are in the mood to venture out of the refuge.  Another interesting dynamic is the feed, water and protection provided for the native animals is a draw for local, commonly found birds in Sydney like rainbow lorikeets and pigeons.  Pelicans stay in their enclosure that is open to the sky while ibis from the community fly in.

It seemed in all the feeding and watering places in Featherdale, I noticed pigeons had made themselves at home.  Unlike kangaroos whose movements are contained to their paddock, the pigeon pictured freely availed itself to the water provided for the kangaroos.  I do not know anyone who would pay to see pigeons, yet there were many pigeons resting in the enclosures of native animals.  The pigeons at Featherdale reminded me of how Jesus has opened up the kingdom of God to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, to whosoever will come to Him by faith.  Jesus did not forbid little children from coming to Him, and He also welcomes Gentiles into the kingdom and family of God according to His grace.

Jesus Christ is the Door to the kingdom of God today swung wide open for all who are hungry and thirsty for eternal life.  He invites and welcomes all people to repent of their sin and receive Him by faith, and to all who are willing He gives the right to become children of God.  Revelation 22:16-17 says, "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." ¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."  Seeing the pigeons drinking water among wallabies and kangaroos was a lovely reminder of God's divine acceptance and abundant provision of life for all who come to Him.  As pigeons and marsupials are all part of the Featherdale experience, even so heaven is for Jew and Gentile alike united by Christ.